Somatosensory evoked magnetic fields arising from sources in the human cerebellum. 1997

C D Tesche, and J Karhu
Low Temperature Laboratory, Helsinki University of Technolgy, Finland. tesche@neuro.hut.fi

Somatosensory evoked neuromagnetic activity of human cerebellum was recorded noninvasively with a 122-channel whole-scalp magnetometer. Cerebellar source areas activated 13-19 ms after unilateral electric stimulation of the median nerve. The first signals preceded those occurring in the primary sensorimotor cortex at around 20 ms and overlapped in time with the activation of thalamic sources. The orientation and location of most prominent cerebellar activation suggest that the detected signals represent synchronized postsynaptic activity of spinocerebellar cortex. These signals are probably elicited by the first afferent sensory volley from peripheral nerve endings and mediated by spinocerebellar (cuneocerebellar) tracts. The results imply strong coherent activation of cerebellar neuronal populations after purely sensory stimulation. Moreover, with presented methods the millisecond-scale temporal resolution of neurophysiological measurements can be more generally applied to the study of neuronal population activity in intact human cerebellum.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008475 Median Nerve A major nerve of the upper extremity. In humans, the fibers of the median nerve originate in the lower cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord (usually C6 to T1), travel via the brachial plexus, and supply sensory and motor innervation to parts of the forearm and hand. Median Nerves,Nerve, Median,Nerves, Median
D001931 Brain Mapping Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D002531 Cerebellum The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills. Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D005073 Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory The electric response evoked in the CEREBRAL CORTEX by stimulation along AFFERENT PATHWAYS from PERIPHERAL NERVES to CEREBRUM. Somatosensory Evoked Potentials,Evoked Potential, Somatosensory,Somatosensory Evoked Potential
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D015225 Magnetoencephalography The measurement of magnetic fields over the head generated by electric currents in the brain. As in any electrical conductor, electric fields in the brain are accompanied by orthogonal magnetic fields. The measurement of these fields provides information about the localization of brain activity which is complementary to that provided by ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY. Magnetoencephalography may be used alone or together with electroencephalography, for measurement of spontaneous or evoked activity, and for research or clinical purposes. Magnetoencephalogram,Magnetoencephalograms

Related Publications

C D Tesche, and J Karhu
August 2000, Progress in neurobiology,
C D Tesche, and J Karhu
July 2002, Neurological research,
C D Tesche, and J Karhu
May 1999, Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology,
C D Tesche, and J Karhu
December 1995, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology,
C D Tesche, and J Karhu
March 1987, EEG-EMG Zeitschrift fur Elektroenzephalographie, Elektromyographie und verwandte Gebiete,
C D Tesche, and J Karhu
January 1983, The International journal of neuroscience,
C D Tesche, and J Karhu
December 1994, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology,
C D Tesche, and J Karhu
March 1984, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!