Linear transmission of cortical oscillations to the neural drive to muscles is mediated by common projections to populations of motoneurons in humans.
Since the human central nervous system controls muscle contraction through inputs to spinal motoneurons, oscillations recorded on the primary motor cortex during voluntary movements are correlated with the electrical activity produced on the surface of the muscles. We show through theoretical derivations and experimental recordings that cortical input is transmitted partly in a linear way to the population of motoneurons. The results demonstrate the effective spread of the cortical projections to the motoneuron pool to allow an efficient control of the muscle force output.
Department of Neurorehabilitation Engineering, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany.
Francesco
F
Negro
Dario
D
Farina
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult