Post-movement beta synchronisation after complex prosaccade task

Abstract 

Objective

Post-movement beta synchronisation (PMBS) has been described as an induced, localised increase of beta activity over the contralateral sensorimotor cortex after termination of voluntary limb movement. The aim of our study was to investigate whether ocular saccades also evoke movement related EEG changes.

Methods

Complex saccades were recorded in six healthy volunteers using electro-oculography. EEG power changes in the beta frequency band were measured before, during and after saccades.

Results

Significant increase of beta-power was observed over the frontocentral region of both hemispheres after the offset of the complex saccade task. The latency of ocular PMBS was about 1100ms.

Conclusions

Ocular PMBS evoked by complex saccade task is similar to that of recorded after limb movements. Its presence over both hemispheres irrespective of the direction of saccades indicates bilateral activation of cortical areas connected with the execution and planning of ocular movements.

Significance

The present paper is the first report on eye-movement related post-movement beta synchronisation. Investigation of ocular PMBS can be used both for research and clinical purposes for the functional assessment of neuronal networks controlling eye movements.

Keywords: Eye movement, Saccade, EEG, Post-movement beta synchronisation