Spatiotemporal organisation of human sensorimotor beta burst activity

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.80160
• Publication Date: 2023-03-24T11:15:53Z
• Authors: Catharina Zich; Andrew J Quinn; James J Bonaiuto; George O'Neill; Lydia C Mardell; Nick S Ward; Sven Bestmann
• Keywords: Magnetoencephalography; Superior temporal sulcus

Beta oscillations in human sensorimotor cortex are hallmark signatures of healthy and pathological movement. In single trials, beta include bursts intermittent, transient periods high-power activity. These burst events have been linked to a range sensory motor processes, but their precise spatial, spectral, temporal structure remains unclear. Specifically, role for activity information coding communication suggests spatiotemporal patterns, or travelling wave activity, along specific anatomical gradients. We here show magnetoencephalography recordings that occurs planar wave-like patterns dominate two axes either parallel perpendicular the central sulcus. Moreover, we find propagation directions characterised by distinct physiological features. Finally, our results suggest occurring before after movement can be distinguished anatomical, characteristics, indicating functional roles.