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Gaining Insight Into the Nonfocality of Beta Oscillation Suppression Along the Sensorimotor Cortex Using
Christian Georgiev1,2, Scott J Mongold1,2, Gilles Naeije2,3,4
1Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Movement-induced beta oscillations (ERD) in the sensorimotor cortex may spread to neighboring areas, not just remain focal. A new method using dual motor tasks and corticomuscular coherence (CMC) helps study these effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Event-related desynchronization (ERD) in sensorimotor (SM1) beta oscillations (13-30 Hz) is common during movement.
- Existing human electrophysiological data suggest a broad topographical distribution of beta ERD along SM1.
- There is a lack of accessible methods to quantify the focality of movement-induced beta ERD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a novel method for investigating how beta ERD in one SM1 area influences beta oscillations in a neighboring SM1 area.
- To assess the spread of movement-induced beta ERD to adjacent somatotopic regions within the sensorimotor cortex.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six participants performed right brachium movements while maintaining a right first dorsal interosseous (FDI) isometric contraction.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded beta ERD in the left SM1 brachium area.
- Corticomuscular coherence (CMC) between SM1 EEG and FDI electromyography/force signals assessed the impact on neighboring SM1 FDI area activity.
Main Results:
- A significant movement-induced beta ERD was observed in the SM1 brachium area.
- This beta ERD was associated with an attenuation of corticomuscular coherence (CMC) with both FDI signals.
- Results suggest that beta ERD might not be strictly focal and can propagate to neighboring SM1 areas.
Conclusions:
- Movement-induced beta ERD in one SM1 region can affect beta activity in adjacent SM1 areas, indicating potential spread.
- A novel approach combining a dual motor task with CMC effectively assesses beta oscillatory propagatory effects.
- This methodology offers a new way to investigate the topographical properties of beta oscillations and their role in motor control for both healthy and clinical populations.
