Corticomuscular coherence: a review

J Clin Neurophysiol. 1999 Nov;16(6):501-11. doi: 10.1097/00004691-199911000-00002.

Abstract

Corticomuscular coherence measured between electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography, or local field potentials and electromyography (EMG) should be helpful in understanding the cortical control of movement. EEG-EMG coherence and phase spectra depend on the types of EEG derivation and current source density function of EEG appears to be the most appropriate for computation of EEG-EMG coherence. A new model for the interpretation of the phase spectra ("constant phase shift plus constant time lag model") shows that cortical surface negative potentials are phase-locked to EMG firing. There are functional differences of EEG-EMG coherence among the alpha, beta, and gamma bands suggesting differences in their possible generator mechanisms. Since corticomuscular coherence is a noninvasive measure of corticomotoneuronal function in a specific frequency range, clinical application of this method might be very fruitful in tremor research.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Tremor / physiopathology