Beta band oscillations in motor cortex reflect neural population signals that delay movement onset
Abstract
Motor cortical beta oscillations have been reported for decades, yet their behavioral correlates remain unresolved. Some studies link beta oscillations to changes in underlying neural activity, but the specific behavioral manifestations of these reported changes remain elusive. To investigate how changes in population neural activity, beta oscillations, and behavior are linked, we recorded multi-scale neural activity from motor cortex while three macaques performed a novel neurofeedback task. Subjects volitionally brought their beta oscillatory power to an instructed state and subsequently executed an arm reach. Reaches preceded by a reduction in beta power exhibited significantly faster movement onset times than reaches preceded by an increase in beta power. Further, population neural activity was found to shift farther from a movement onset state during beta oscillations that were neurofeedback-induced or naturally occurring during reaching tasks. This finding establishes a population neural basis for slowed movement onset following periods of beta oscillatory activity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2017
- Source ID
- 10.7554/elife.24573
Entities
People
- Jose M Carmena
- Preeya Khanna
Organizations
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute
- National Science Foundation