Visuospatial processing load enhance the brain activity associated with motor preparation

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19918
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Fumuro Tomoyuki 国際医療福祉大学, 福岡保健医療学部, 助教 (30727079)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 脳波 / 運動 / 空間注意 / 事象関連脱同期 / リハビリテーション / ブレイン・マシン・インターフェイス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A total of 21 healthy subjects underwent electroencephalography (EEG) measurements while performing a combined spatial attention and motor task. A visual indicator moving clockwise/counterclockwise in the peripheral visual field at a constant speed was used as the presentation task. The EEG data were subjected to time-frequency analysis using a short-time Fourier transform. The results showed that the intensity and distribution of event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the α- and β-wave bands were affected by the position and direction of the index at the beginning of the exercise. Specifically, (1) α~β-ERD increased in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the visual field of the index position at the start of the movement. (2) When the visual index was moving upward, α-ERD increased in the occipital hemisphere, while it was suppressed when the index was moving downward. These findings were similar regardless of whether the motor task was performed with the left or right hand.

Free Research Field

臨床神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

空間的な注意条件（注意対象となる視覚指標の位置や移動方向）により、運動開始時点に活性化する脳領域がどのように変化するかについてその一端を明らかにした。本研究の成果は、運動機能に障がいをもつ患者のリハビリテーションや、脳の電気的な活動から運動企図を読み取るブレイン・マシン・インターフェイスの分野で今後の展開が期待される。