title: Lateralized alpha-band cortical networks regulate volitional modulation of beta-band sensorimotor oscillations.
abstract: Sensorimotor rhythms (SMRs) are oscillatory brain activities in the α- and β-bands across the sensorimotor regions of the brain. Each frequency band has its own specific function. The α-band oscillations are closely related to intrinsic cortical networks, whereas oscillations in the β-band are relevant for the information transfer between the cortex and periphery, as well as for visual and proprioceptive feedback. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between these two frequency bands, under the premise that the regional modulation of β-band power is linked to a cortical network in the α-band. We therefore designed a procedure to maximize the modulation of β-band activity over the sensorimotor cortex by combining kinesthetic motor-imagery with closed-loop haptic feedback. The cortical network activity during this procedure was estimated via the phase slope index in electroencephalographic recordings. Analysis of effective connectivity within the α-band network revealed an information flow between the precentral (premotor and primary motor), postcentral (primary somatosensory) and parietal cortical areas. The range of β-modulation was connected to a reduction of an ipsilateral sensorimotor and parietal α-network and, consequently, to a lateralization of this network to the contralateral side. These results showed that regional sensorimotor oscillatory activity in the β-band was regulated by cortical coupling of distant areas in the α-band.
authors.affiliation: Division of Translational Neurosurgery and Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, and Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: mathias.vukelic@cin.uni-tuebingen.de.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vukelić
authors.affiliation: Division of Translational Neurosurgery and Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, and Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: robert.bauer@cin.uni-tuebingen.de.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Division of Translational Neurosurgery and Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, and Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: georgios.naros@med.uni-tuebingen.de.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Naros
authors.affiliation: Division of Translational Neurosurgery and Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, and Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: ilias.naros@googlemail.com.
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naros
authors.affiliation: MEG Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: christioph.braun@uni-tuebingen.de.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Division of Translational Neurosurgery and Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, and Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: alireza.gharabaghi@uni-tuebingen.de.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gharabaghi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003344:Cortical Synchronization / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
keywords: Alpha rhythms; Beta rhythms; Cross-frequency interaction; Motor imagery; Phase slope index; Sensorimotor–parietal integration