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Published on: December 10, 2008
Cortical representation of rhythmic foot movements
Jan Raethjen1, R B Govindan, Sabine Binder
1Department of Neurology, University of Kiel, Schittenhelmstrasse 10, 24105 Kiel, Germany. j.raetthjen@neurologie.uni-kiel.de
Brain Research
|August 5, 2008
Summary
The human cortex contributes to rhythmic foot movements, showing significant corticomuscular coherence during stepping and tapping. This suggests a cortical role in motor control, potentially aiding gait.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Physiology
Background:
- The cerebral cortex is known to be involved in rhythmic hand movements.
- The cortical contribution to rhythmic motor patterns of the feet has not been previously evaluated in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electroencephalography (EEG) activity associated with rhythmic foot movements.
- To evaluate the cortical contribution to rhythmic stepping and tapping movements in healthy subjects.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy subjects performed self-paced rhythmic foot movements (anti-phase, in-phase, unilateral) and isometric calf cocontraction.
- Simultaneous surface electromyography (EMG) from anterior tibial muscles and 64-channel EEG were recorded.
- Analysis included power spectra, corticomuscular coherence, and corticomuscular delay calculations.
Main Results:
- Significant corticomuscular coherence was observed at stepping frequencies in the central midline and frontal mesial cortex for both feet and all movement conditions.
- Coherence during cocontraction occurred in the 15-30 Hz range, localized to the central midline.
- EEG-EMG delays averaged 14-26 ms, with EMG-EEG feedback delays of 25-40 ms in a subset of subjects.
Conclusions:
- Rhythmic foot motor patterns are represented in the human cortex.
- Motor commands are transmitted to foot muscles via fast corticospinal pathways and sensory feedback is returned to the cortex.
- This cortical involvement may play a role in human gait control.
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