Neural oscillations during motor imagery of complex gait: an HdEEG study

Martina Putzolu,Laura Avanzino,Dante Mantini,Gaia Bonassi,Giovanna Lagravinese,Elisa Pelosin,Carola Cosentino,Jessica Samogin,Susanna Mezzarobba,Alessandro Vato

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-07511-x

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate differences between usual and complex gait motor imagery (MI) task in healthy subjects using high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) with a MI protocol. We characterized the spatial distribution of α- and β-bands oscillations extracted from hdEEG signals recorded during MI of usual walking (UW) and walking by avoiding an obstacle (Dual-Task, DT). We applied a source localization algorithm to brain regions selected from a large cortical-subcortical network, and then we analyzed α and β bands Event-Related Desynchronizations (ERDs). Nineteen healthy subjects visually imagined walking on a path with (DT) and without (UW) obstacles. Results showed in both gait MI tasks, α- and β-band ERDs in a large cortical-subcortical network encompassing mostly frontal and parietal regions. In most of the regions, we found α- and β-band ERDs in the DT compared with the UW condition. Finally, in the β band, significant correlations emerged between ERDs and scores in imagery ability tests. Overall we detected MI gait-related α- and β-band oscillations in cortical and subcortical areas and significant differences between UW and DT MI conditions. A better understanding of gait neural correlates may lead to a better knowledge of pathophysiology of gait disturbances in neurological diseases.

Highlights

Gait is no longer considered a simple and automatic motor task, but it requires several non-motor functions
motor imagery (MI) can be performed via two strategies: (i) visual MI, during which the subject “sees” movement execution by an internal or an external perspective and (ii) kinesthetic MI, which implies the feeling of the simulated a ction[10]
To measure the visual imagery (VI) ability of each participant we calculated the mean score of the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ) visual subscale and of the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 (VMIQ) part 1 (Internal VI) and part 2 (External VI) separately

Summary

Introduction

Gait is no longer considered a simple and automatic motor task, but it requires several non-motor functions (e.g., attention, visuo-spatial abilities). The contribution of these non-motor functions to locomotion is evident in complex walking situations A correct planning of such precise locomotor movements is crucial for an efficient and safe gait during everyday circumstances and to prevent falls. This is one of the reasons why in the last decade the understanding of neural control of usual and complex gait in humans received considerable attention. Results from numerous s tudies[11–16] are consistent in demonstrating that several cortical (dorsal premotor cortex, superior parietal lobules, posterior rostral cingulate zone) and subcortical (basal ganglia, mesencephalic locomotor region, and cerebellum) regions are activated during gait MI

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