Event-related potentials elicited by passive movements in humans: Characterization, source analysis, and comparison to fMRI

Cortical areas responsive to proprioceptive stimulation were assessed by ER P technique in normals and in selected patients with stroke and were compar ed to fMRI data. Repetitive extension of right and left forefinger elicited a P1/N1/P2 complex wave pattern. This pattern was absent in patient with c omplete sensory loss and present but spatially modified in patient with rec overed sensory deficit. Source localization with a simple model showed thre e sources starting in the contralateral rolandic area (SI), then involving the inferior parietal lobe unilaterally and the supplementary motor area (1 0 to 134 ms). It was followed by a bilaterally distributed pattern of two s ources located in the ipsilateral parietal region and in the contralateral insula. Right and left stimulation led to very symmetrical patterns. Compar ison to fMRI obtained from passive extension of the wrist in normals showed very compatible data. We described in this paper, a sequential processing of proprioceptive inputs after passive movements involving primary and seco ndary sensory motor areas. (C) 1998 Academic Press.