Mechanisms of differences in gating effects on short-and long-latency somatosensory evoked potentials relating to movement

Brain Topogr. 2003 Summer;15(4):211-22. doi: 10.1023/a:1023908707851.

Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the differences in gating effects on short- and long-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) relating to movement. SEPs were recorded in normal subjects for 6 different tasks in Experiment 1: Control, Movement, Distraction, Attention, Movement during Distraction and Movement during Attention, and for 4 different tasks in Experiment 2: Control, Passive Movement, Contralateral Movement and Movement Imagery. The amplitudes of short-latency SEPs were significantly reduced by active and passive movement of the stimulated hand, but long-latency SEPs (N140-P200) were significantly enhanced by active movement of the stimulated hand. Attention, Distraction, Contralateral Movement and Movement Imagery did not affect the amplitudes of SEPs. The degree of enhancement of long-latency SEPs by active Movement was greater than that by active movement with Attention or Distraction. Gating effects on long-latency SEPs were different from those on short-latency SEPs. Since this effect was not related to Attention/Distraction, Passive Movement, Movement Imagery or Movement of another site, it is probably due to specific centrifugal effects, which are different from more direct gating effects on short-latency components. This study showed the difference in gating effects on somatosensory perception depending on time periods following stimulation, which may indicate an interaction between motor and somatosensory cortex.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electrophysiology
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Reaction Time