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ERP correlates of linear hand movements: distance dependent changes
Waldemar Kirsch1, Erwin Hennighausen
1Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Germany. kirsch@psychologie.uni-wuerzburg.de
Objective:
This study examined the sensitivity of event-related cortical potentials (ERPs) preceding and accompanying goal-directed hand movements to the variation of movement distance.
Methods:
Participants performed linear hand movements to memorized target locations, which were arranged in distances between 10 and 31cm from the starting position of the hand. EPRs were analyzed time-locked to the imperative go signal as well as to the movement onset.
Results:
An increase in target distance was associated with an increase in amplitude of a negative component measured over sensorimotor areas that preceded movement onset (MP). Another negative deflection arising at similar scalp locations (N4) and following the MP decline was also highly distance dependent.
Conclusions:
The data demonstrate distance specific brain activity accompanying accelerative and decelerative phases of motion during goal-directed hand movements.
Significance:
The modulation of MP may to be related to the modulation of the initial force pulse, while N4 effects may reflect distance dependent changes in the magnitude of decelerative control.
