MOVEMENT-RELATED POTENTIALS PRECEDING VOLUNTARY MOVEMENT ARE MODULATED BY THE MODE OF MOVEMENT SELECTION

In two experiments movement-related cortical potentials preceding volu ntary movement were recorded. In experiment 1, subjects performed four motor tasks involving joystick movements. The four tasks differed in complexity (single vs sequential movements) and in the mode of movemen t selection, i.e., whether a movement or movement sequence was made in fixed or in self-determined directions. The choice of these tasks was based, firstly on previous electrophysiological studies suggesting an effect of task-complexity on the amplitude of the readiness potential (RP) and, secondly, on previous positron emission tomography (PET) st udies showing that activity of the supplementary motor area (SMA) is i nfluenced by the mode of movement selection. The results show that, fo r single movements, RP amplitude is higher preceding freely selected m ovements than preceding movements in a fixed direction. In experiment 2 this effect was replicated using button presses instead of joystick movements. The results converge with PET evidence obtained in similar tasks and establish that the RP is modulated by the mode of movement s election. This modulation is probably related to differential involvem ent of the SMA.