Modulation of stimulus-induced 20-Hz activity during lower extremity motor imagery

Using magnetoencephalography, we measured 20-Hz activity induced after the common peroneal nerve (CPN) stimulation in 15 healthy subjects during the execution of foot movement or its motor imagery, and examined whether the 20-Hz activity is suppressed during motor imagery of foot movement. The prominent 20-Hz activity was contralaterally induced in the paracentral area after CPN stimulation, and it was almost completely suppressed during execution of the foot movement and partially suppressed during its motor imagery. These results suggest that the modulation of the 20-Hz activity is a useful indicator of the motor imagery of foot movement.