Changes in inter-cortical correlation of electroencephalograph in motor learning process

Abstract

Changes of inter-cortical correlation based on the electroencephalogram (EEG) during motor learning process were investigated. The subjects consisted of ten healthy volunteers aged 19 to 27 years (mean=20.4 ± 2.4 years). The task of motor learning was reciprocal tapping of the IV and V finger in the non-dominant hand with maximum effort. Practices were executed five days per week for four weeks. To provide an index of motor learning, the tapping frequency and EEG during ten seconds were measured once per week. The results showed significant increases of rate of tapping during four weeks in all subjects. As inter-cortical correlations, temporo-spatial synchronization between supplementary motor area (SMA) and motor cortex (MI) were gradually increased during the four weeks. It is suggested that an increase of inter-cortical correlation between SMA and MI may reflect the central mechanism of motor learning.