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Date Permissions Signed

2-12-2010

Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jantzen, Kelly J.

Second Advisor

Mana, Michael J.

Third Advisor

Symons, Larry

Abstract

Coordination Dynamics posits that the stability of coordinated patterns of movement may be a key variable for organizing neural activity underlying coordinated action. In support, recent findings suggest that premotor areas play an important role in maintaining pattern stability. The present EEG study investigates how changes in neural activation (assessed via event-related power) are affected both by rate and stability of coordination. Nineteen participants coordinated finger taps with an auditory metronome in either a synchronized or syncopated pattern presented at five different rates (1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, and 2.00 Hz). Premotor areas demonstrated increases in event-related synchronization (neural deactivation) within the alpha band following slow, synchronized movements. Stepwise increases in rate led to greater desynchronization (neural activation) throughout the entire duration of the movement cycle. During syncopation medial premotor regions remained desynchronized during movement. Moreover, medial premotor was more involved during synchronization with subsequent increases in movement rate. Counter to previous findings, medial premotor did not modulate changes in coordination stability. We suggested that medial premotor regions are involved in processes related to the coincidence of the finger tap and auditory tone. These findings support premotor cortex's role in motor inhibition, timing, and execution.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/yhv6-0v86

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

518440937

Subject – LCSH

Mind and body; Sensorimotor integration; Biological control systems; Neural networks (Neurobiology)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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