The neural basis of intermittent motor control in humans

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Feb 19;99(4):2299-302. doi: 10.1073/pnas.032682099.

Abstract

The basic question of whether the human brain controls continuous movements intermittently is still under debate. Here we show that 6- to 9-Hz pulsatile velocity changes of slow finger movements are directly correlated to oscillatory activity in the motor cortex, which is sustained by cerebellar drive through thalamus and premotor cortex. Our findings suggest that coupling of 6- to 9-Hz oscillatory activity in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical loop represents the neural mechanism for the intermittent control of continuous movements.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Male
  • Models, Anatomic
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Oscillometry
  • Time Factors