About this Research Topic
Sensorimotor integration is the process of interpreting incoming sensory input and using that information in order to inform our motor commands. Whilst we know a lot about the organization of the primary somatosensory and primary motor cortex, there is still a lot to be discovered in terms of how these two areas interact with each other and with key areas, such as secondary sensory and motor cortical regions, basal ganglia and cerebellum. Oscillations are thought to be a way for the brain to encode information and allow communication between areas. Beta frequency oscillations (15-30Hz) are thought to have a vital role in motor control, working alongside other frequency bands such as alpha and gamma oscillations. In order to understand how oscillations serve in the process of sensorimotor integration, we must combine a variety of techniques including animal electrophysiology, human brain imaging, and computational modeling.
We would like this Research Topic to delve into the relationship between sensory input and motor output and how the two are encoded in the brain from an oscillatory perspective. Beta oscillations specifically are thought to have an important role in this and recent literature has suggested that rather than sustained oscillations, beta is in fact a number of repeated transient event or ‘bursts’, this new avenue could reveal more detail of how beta encodes sensory and motor information in order to create smooth goal-oriented movements. Alpha and gamma oscillatory activity has also been shown to have distinct roles in sensorimotor integration, motor control, and motor learning. Further understanding of how the brain encodes new motor skills could have broad clinical applications, for example, in recovery after stroke or in Parkinson’s disease.
We are interested in original research articles in any of these areas:
• Tactile and motor tasks
• Motor learning and motor adaptation
• Human electrophysiology (EEG/MEG/ECoG)
• Oscillatory markers of motor control and motor learning
• Animal electrophysiology
• Motor disorders such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease
• Development and Aging
• Applications such as Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Pharmacological manipulation
• Brain stimulation such as tACS
• Computational modeling of sensorimotor processes
We would like this Research Topic to delve into the relationship between sensory input and motor output and how the two are encoded in the brain from an oscillatory perspective. Beta oscillations specifically are thought to have an important role in this and recent literature has suggested that rather than sustained oscillations, beta is in fact a number of repeated transient event or ‘bursts’, this new avenue could reveal more detail of how beta encodes sensory and motor information in order to create smooth goal-oriented movements. Alpha and gamma oscillatory activity has also been shown to have distinct roles in sensorimotor integration, motor control, and motor learning. Further understanding of how the brain encodes new motor skills could have broad clinical applications, for example, in recovery after stroke or in Parkinson’s disease.
We are interested in original research articles in any of these areas:
• Tactile and motor tasks
• Motor learning and motor adaptation
• Human electrophysiology (EEG/MEG/ECoG)
• Oscillatory markers of motor control and motor learning
• Animal electrophysiology
• Motor disorders such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease
• Development and Aging
• Applications such as Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Pharmacological manipulation
• Brain stimulation such as tACS
• Computational modeling of sensorimotor processes
Keywords: Beta oscillations, Sensorimotor, Learning, Motor control
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
