Visual detection is locked to the internal dynamics of cortico-motor control

PLoS Biol. 2020 Oct 20;18(10):e3000898. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000898. eCollection 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Movements overtly sample sensory information, making sensory analysis an active-sensing process. In this study, we show that visual information sampling is not just locked to the (overt) movement dynamics but to the internal (covert) dynamics of cortico-motor control. We asked human participants to perform continuous isometric contraction while detecting unrelated and unpredictable near-threshold visual stimuli. The motor output (force) shows zero-lag coherence with brain activity (recorded via electroencephalography) in the beta-band, as previously reported. In contrast, cortical rhythms in the alpha-band systematically forerun the motor output by 200 milliseconds. Importantly, visual detection is facilitated when cortico-motor alpha (not beta) synchronization is enhanced immediately before stimulus onset, namely, at the optimal phase relationship for sensorimotor communication. These findings demonstrate an ongoing coupling between visual sampling and motor control, suggesting the operation of an internal and alpha-cycling visuomotor loop.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Alpha Rhythm / physiology
  • Behavior
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Time Factors
  • Visual Perception / physiology*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This work has been supported by Ministero della Salute, Ricerca Finalizzata 2016 - Giovani Ricercatori (GR-2016-02361008) and Ministero della Salute, Ricerca Finalizzata 2018 - Giovani Ricercatori (GR-2018-12366027) to AD and by the European Union H2020 - EnTimeMent (FETPROACT-824160) to LF. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.