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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Simultaneous Scalp Electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG), and Whole-body Segmental Inertial Recording for Multi-modal Neural Decoding
Published on: July 26, 2013
Role of cerebral cortex in human postural control: an EEG study
S Slobounov1, M Hallett, S Stanhope
1Human Motor Control Section, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. sms18@psu.edu
Summary
Neural detectors for postural instability trigger fall-avoiding adjustments. A gamma-band burst in EEG signals precedes compensatory movements, indicating higher cortical control of balance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Maintaining upright posture is crucial for preventing falls.
- The neural mechanisms underlying postural control, especially in dynamic situations, are not fully understood.
- Cortical involvement in regulating posture requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify neural detectors for postural instability.
- To provide evidence for cortical triggers of compensatory postural adjustments.
- To investigate the role of higher cortical structures in dynamic balance control.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy subjects performed self-initiated anterior-posterior postural movements.
- Collected data included force plate, EMG, and 25-site EEG recordings.
- Analyzed EEG using averaging and Morlet wavelet techniques for voltage and frequency domains.
Main Results:
- A slow negative DC shift preceded voluntary postural movement initiation.
- A gamma-band EEG activity burst was observed before compensatory backward postural movements.
- EEG patterns during postural actions resembled those in postural perception tasks.
Conclusions:
- Higher cortical structures play a significant role in regulating posture during dynamic stances.
- A burst of EEG gamma activity may signify central command mechanisms triggering fall-preventing reactions.
- This study enhances understanding of the neurophysiological basis of cortical control in human upright posture.
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