Evaluation of Motor-Related Beta-Activity in Relation to Naturalistic Movement in Healthy Adult Subjects

Evaluation of Motor-Related Beta-Activity in Relation to Naturalistic Movement in Healthy Adult Subjects

The whole body's voluntary movements are controlled by the brain. One of the brain areas most involved in controlling these voluntary movements is the motor cortex and it is often viewed as the primary 'output' region of the neocortex. Motor cortical activity in the beta frequency range (13-30Hz) is a hallmark signature of healthy and pathological movement, but its behavioral relevance remains unclear. Such uncertainty confounds the development of treatments for diseases of movement which are associated with pathophysiological beta activity, including Parkinson's, therefore furthering understanding on the behavioral significance of activity in this range is now vital. Recently, it has become apparent that oscillatory beta activity actually occurs in discrete transient bursts, and that the summation of short-lasting, high-powered bursts of activity only appear to be sustained oscillations when averaged over multiple trials.

In this study we will use neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All of these techniques have been identified as non-invasive techniques. By applying these methods, we will be able to analyze beta burst activity in order to determine how beta bursts influence naturalistic motor behavior.

This project also encompasses the study of auditory and motor interactions doing an experimental task.

The aim of the project is to get a better understanding of the role of motor-related beta activity during the preparation and generation of reach and grasp actions. These findings may inform novel treatments for pathophysiological disorders characterized by aberrant beta signaling, utilizing causal manipulation of the neural circuits implicated in the generation of beta activity. This project also has expected methodological repercussions. It will make it possible to validate the use of individualized head-casts worn during MEG acquisition for the study of the cortical control of naturalistic actions, and to create new analysis tools that allow an increase in the spatial resolution of MEG data.

Inclusion Criteria:

For all experiments :

• Healthy male or female
• Aged 18-40 years
• Registered with the French healthcare system
• Motivated to participate in the study
• Normal or corrected vision
• Right-handed
• Adequate knowledge of French to be able to follow directions
• Subjects must have the minimal motor ability necessary to participate in the experiment
• Subjects must be able to listen and understand the study instructions
• Subjects must be able to give written informed consent before participation
• Normal hearing

Exclusion Criteria:

For all experiments :

Subjects with characteristics incompatible with MEG/EEG and MRI :

• Claustrophobia
• Psychiatric pathology characterized including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or severe traumatic brain injury
• Neuropsychological disorders or cognitive impairment including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, seizures, epilepsy, sleep disorders
• Regular use of neurodevelopment medicines (antidepressants, neuroleptics)
• Subject has a history of skin disease or skin allergies (multiple or severe)
• Subject working with metals in their professional lives
• The subject had an MRI 2 weeks prior to experiment 1
• Implanted material (any dental apparatus containing metal including or root canals or any metallic object, pacemaker, cochlear implanted in the body)
• Pregnant women or lactating women (based on self-report)
• subjects who are not able to tolerate sitting for 1 hour (the estimated length of the experiment)
• Alcohol dependence
• Subjects who, in the opinion of the investigator are not able or willing to comply with the protocol

For experiment 1:

- A head size incompatible with the use of a personalized 3D head-cast or a magnetoencephalography