Subthalamic nucleus beta and gamma activity is modulated depending on the level of imagined grip force.
Motor imagery involves cortical networks similar to those activated by real movements, but the extent to which the basal ganglia are recruited is not yet clear. Gamma and beta oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) vary with the effort of sustained muscle activity. We recorded local field potentials in Parkinson's disease patients and investigated if similar changes can be observed during imagined gripping at three different 'forces'. We found that beta activity decreased significantly only for imagined grips at the two stronger force levels. Additionally, gamma power significantly scaled with increasing imagined force. Thus, in combination, these two spectral features can provide information about the intended force of an imaginary grip even in the absence of sensory feedback. Modulations in the two frequency bands during imaginary movement may explain the rehabilitating benefit of motor imagery to improve motor performance. The results also suggest that STN LFPs may provide useful information for brain-machine interfaces.
Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, OX1 3TH Oxford, United Kingdom; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address: petra.fischer@ndcn.ox.ac.uk.
Petra
P
Fischer
Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, OX1 3TH Oxford, United Kingdom; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, United Kingdom.
Alek
A
Pogosyan
Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, United Kingdom.
Binith
B
Cheeran
Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, United Kingdom.
Alexander L
AL
Green
Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, United Kingdom.
Tipu Z
TZ
Aziz
Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, WC1N 3BG London, United Kingdom.
Jonathan
J
Hyam
Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, WC1N 3BG London, United Kingdom.
Simon
S
Little
Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, WC1N 3BG London, United Kingdom.
Thomas
T
Foltynie
Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, WC1N 3BG London, United Kingdom.
Patricia
P
Limousin
Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, WC1N 3BG London, United Kingdom.
Ludvic
L
Zrinzo
Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, WC1N 3BG London, United Kingdom.
Marwan
M
Hariz
Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital, King's College London, United Kingdom.
Michael
M
Samuel
Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital, King's College London, United Kingdom.
Keyoumars
K
Ashkan
Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, OX1 3TH Oxford, United Kingdom; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, United Kingdom.
Peter
P
Brown
Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, OX1 3TH Oxford, United Kingdom; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU Oxford, United Kingdom.
Huiling
H
Tan
D000368:Aged; D001611:Beta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D065818:Gamma Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000628:therapy; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*
Basal ganglia; Beta suppression; Brain computer interface; Brain machine interface; Force decoding; Gamma oscillations; Imagined force; Motor imagery; Neuro-feedback; STN