On the existence of different types of central beta rhythms below 30 Hz

EEGs were recorded from sensorimotor areas of 12 subjects performing unilateral self-paced brisk and slow finger movements. Two different beta components were found below 30 Hz: (i) One component, at about twice the frequency of the mu rhythm, showed desynchronization in parallel with the mu rhythm starting at about 2 s prior to movement. Measurements of bicoherence have shown that this beta component can be non-linearly related to the arch-shaped mu rhythm. (ii) Another beta component started to desynchronize about 1 s prior to movement, recovered very fast and displayed a pronounced post-movement beta synchronization (PMBS) within the first second after movement-offset. This PMBS was found in the frequency band between 12 and 26 Hz. The average percentage power increase at contralateral sensorimotor area was 232% (SD = 82%) for brisk and 265% (SD = 102%) for slow movements. The PMBS was of contralateral dominance and is interpreted as a correlate of active inhibition or idling of the primary motor area following movement execution. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.