The temporal coupling effect: Preparation and execution of bimanual reaching movements.
The study of bimanual movements has allowed to describe an interesting phenomenon known as the bimanual coupling effect: a lack of independence between the two hands that induces an interference process, which has been reported in both the spatial and temporal domain. Here, we studied for the first time the electro-cortical activity of the temporal bimanual coupling effect, specifically focused on the motor preparation of the two hands movements. Participants performed congruent movements, with both hands heading towards easy or difficult targets, and incongruent movements, with the two hands heading to separate targets (i.e. left to the easy target and right to the difficult target). Motor Related Cortical Potentials (MRCPs) showed no effect of conditions or difficulty on the early phase of the activity (posterior and anterior BP). Additionally, the two hands were prepared together, as if a single movement was about to start. As such, behavioral results showed strong synchronization between the hands, which always tended to start and end their movement together. Importantly, the effect of movement difficulty was present at the movement onset and just after it when the movement unfolded. Coherently with behavioral results, difficult movements generated a strong Post-motor potential (N4), more prominent when the right hand was heading towards the difficult target. Our findings show that bimanual movements are actually planned and programmed as a single motor program, but movement difficulty emerges in the execution of the action.
Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy; Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems (CNCS@UniTn), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy. Electronic address: c.bozzacchi@nin.knaw.nl.
Chiara
C
Bozzacchi
IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
Rocco Luca
RL
Cimmino
Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
Francesco
F
Di Russo
D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Bereitschaftpotential; Bimanual coordination; Bimanual coupling effect; Bimanual movements; ERPs; Motor preparation; Motor related cortical potential; Reaching; Readiness potential