Using electroencephalography to study functional coupling between cortical activity and electromyograms during voluntary contractions in humans

Previous studies of neuronal oscillations in sensorimotor cortex in humans and primates have observed rhythmic 15–30 Hz activity, which is correlated with motor output. In humans, this work has been limited to magnetic recordings. In the present study we investigate if similar results can be obtained using electroencephalography (EEG). EEG recordings were made from over the sensorimotor cortex of five adult subjects who performed repeated periods of maintained wrist extension and flexion. Coherence analysis between EEG and electromyogram (EMG) recordings from these muscles revealed correlation in the 15–30 Hz range, with a synchronous correlation structure which matches that previously observed in humans and in paired cortical recordings from primates. We conclude that EEG is equally efficient at investigating functional aspects of these cortical rhythms during voluntary movement in humans.