Abstract
Gait is often considered as an automatic movement but cortical control seems necessary to adapt gait pattern with environmental constraints. In order to study cortical activity during real locomotion, electroencephalography (EEG) appears to be particularly appropriate. It is now possible to record changes in cortical neural synchronization/desynchronization during gait. Studying gait initiation is also of particular interest because it implies motor and cognitive cortical control to adequately perform a step. Time-frequency analysis enables to study induced changes in EEG activity in different frequency bands. Such analysis reflects cortical activity implied in stabilized gait control but also in more challenging tasks (obstacle crossing, changes in speed, dual tasks…). These spectral patterns are directly influenced by the walking context but, when analyzing gait with a more demanding attentional task, cortical areas other than the sensorimotor cortex (prefrontal, posterior parietal cortex, etc.) seem specifically implied. While the muscular activity of legs and cortical activity are coupled, the precise role of the motor cortex to control the level of muscular contraction according to the gait task remains debated. The decoding of this brain activity is a necessary step to build valid brain–computer interfaces able to generate gait artificially.
Highlights
Gait control in natural environments can only be achieved on the basis of proprioception, visual and vestibular signals, and implies cognitive control [1]
After some methodological considerations, we will mainly focus on recent literature regarding EEG spectral changes during gait initiation and stable gait in healthy subjects, restricting this paper to cortical activity
The main pattern of cortical activation during gait is an activation of the sensorimotor areas that is reflected by mu and beta desynchronizations predominantly during the swing phase of a gait cycle and during preparation of movement for gait initiation
Summary
Gait control in natural environments (e.g., passing through a doorway, stepping an obstacle, initiating gait, . . . ) can only be achieved on the basis of proprioception, visual and vestibular signals, and implies cognitive control [1]. Electroencephalography (EEG) presents better temporal resolution than other brain imaging methods to record cortical activation during gait. Is a non-invasive brain imaging modality and allows a direct assessment of neural activation with a high temporal resolution (in the order of one millisecond). The main limitation of the use of fMRI, PET, and SPECT scans for analyzing gait-related neural electrical neuronal activity. Data were acquired with ASATM software (ANT Neuro) In this narrative review, after some methodological considerations, we will mainly focus on recent literature regarding EEG spectral changes during gait initiation and stable gait in healthy subjects, restricting this paper to cortical activity. Spectral analyses promote a better understanding of the neurophysiology of gait and the role of oscillations in the adaptation of gait to the environment
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