Оценка реактивности и локализации частотных компонентов альфа-ритма ЭЭГ при выполнении и наблюдении движений

Abstract

The EEG amplitude reactivity of the individually defined upper and low alpha frequency ranges was measured in 67 adults when they performed circular hand movements with a computer mouse and observed similar movements produced by another person. The upper alpha rhythm was topographically more specific and had higher amplitude reactivity under condition of self-paced movements in comparison with the low alpha rhythm. The sources for the alpha subranges were identified by means of the low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography method (sLORETA). Comparable activation patterns for the brain structures associated with the so-called brain “mirror” system (precuneus, cingulate gyrus for the alpha1-rhythm; inferior parietal lobule, supramarginal and angular gyri, upper and middle temporal gyri, insular cortex for alpha2-rhythm) were found for the conditions of performance and observation of movements. During both conditions, there was found a significantly higher number of activated voxels in structures belonging to the right hemisphere relative to the left one. Under the condition of performing self-paced movements, this phenomenon can be the result of heightened demands to the process of visual-motor coordination (keeping the computer mouse cursor within a given screen area). Increased right hemisphere activation having a place when observing movements performed by another person can be interpreted as reflecting the social context of the task given the aspect of attributing observed movements to another person. Such results can be taken in favor of the hypothesis of the mirror neuron system and its involvement into the perception of actions performed by others. The obtained data also testify to the possibility of using a standard computer mouse as an object for instrumental movements when studying neurophysiological mechanisms underlying both movement performance and observation.