Decreased movement-related beta desynchronization and impaired post-movement beta rebound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: This study explored event-related desynchronization (ERD) and synchronization (ERS) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to quantify cortical sensorimotor processes during volitional movements. We furthermore compared ERD/ERS measures with clinical scores and movement-related cortical potential (MRCP) amplitudes.

Methods: Electroencephalograms were recorded while 21 ALS patients and 19 controls performed two self-paced motor tasks: sniffing and right index finger flexion. Based on Wavelet analysis the alpha and beta frequency bands were selected for subsequent evaluation.

Results: Patients generated significantly smaller resting alpha spectral power density (SPD) and smaller beta ERD compared to controls. Additionally patients exhibited merely unilateral post-movement ERS (beta rebound) whereas this phenomenon was bilateral in controls. ERD/ERS amplitudes did not correlate with corresponding MRCPs for either patients or controls.

Conclusions: The smaller resting alpha SPD and beta ERD and asymmetrical appearance of beta ERS in patients compared to controls could be the result of pyramidal cell degeneration and/or corpus callosum involvement in ALS.

Significance: These results support the notion of reduced movement preparation in ALS involving also areas outside the motor cortex. Furthermore post-movement cortical inhibition seems to be impaired in ALS. ERD/ERS and MRCP are found to be independent measures of cortical motor functions in ALS.