Neural oscillations: beta band activity across motor networks

Preeya Khanna; Jose M Carmena

doi:10.1016/j.conb.2014.11.010

Neural oscillations: beta band activity across motor networks

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2015 Jun:32:60-7. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2014.11.010. Epub 2014 Dec 17.

Authors

Preeya Khanna¹, Jose M Carmena²

Affiliations

¹ UC Berkeley - UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, USA. Electronic address: pkhanna@berkeley.edu.
² UC Berkeley - UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Electronic address: jcarmena@berkeley.edu.

PMID: 25528615
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2014.11.010

Abstract

Local field potential (LFP) activity in motor cortical and basal ganglia regions exhibits prominent beta (15-40Hz) oscillations during reaching and grasping, muscular contraction, and attention tasks. While in vitro and computational work has revealed specific mechanisms that may give rise to the frequency and duration of this oscillation, there is still controversy about what behavioral processes ultimately drive it. Here, simultaneous behavioral and large-scale neural recording experiments from non-human primate and human subjects are reviewed in the context of specific hypotheses about how beta band activity is generated. Finally, a new experimental paradigm utilizing operant conditioning combined with motor tasks is proposed as a way to further investigate this oscillation.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Beta Rhythm / physiology*
Conditioning, Operant / physiology*
Humans
Interneurons / physiology*
Motor Activity / physiology*
Motor Cortex / physiology*
Nerve Net / physiology*
Primates
Pyramidal Cells / physiology*