Cortical potentials following voluntary and passive finger movements

Abstract

In order to clarify the time relationship and functional significance of post-motion components of the movement-related cortical potential, averaged cortical potentials associated with voluntary and passive movements were compared mainly with respect to their scalp topography. Fourteen channels of scalp EEG, together with EOG and EMG, were simultaneously recorded in 7 healthy adult subjects while the subject was either repeating a self-paced brisk extension of a middle finger or while the experimenter was extending the middle finger by pulling up a string attached to the finger. Potentials associated with the movement were averaged opisthochronically in relation to a trigger actuated by the finger interrupting a beam of light. Seven peaks were identified in the passive movement-evoked potential. A sharp negative peak occurred over the contralateral precentral region 16 msec after the photometer trigger (N15). Another negative component (N70) formed a composite of double-peaked negativity with N15 and was seen over the frontal region with a contralateral predominance. A positive peak (P65) was recorded over the contralateral parietal region with a similar latency to N70. This N70/P65 complex has some marked similarities in terms of wave form and spatial relationship with the N + 50/P + 90 complex recorded with voluntary movement of the same finger. It is postulated that these components may be the projected potential fields from a dipole source within the central sulcus and may represent a kinesthetic feedback from the muscle afferents.