Brain activities during anticipation timing task

Abstract

  We examined the information processing in the cerebral cortex of the human during the anticipation-response timing task by electroencephalogram (EEG). In addition, we investigated the area related to the accurate timing function in the cerebral cortex of the human.

  We used two tasks, the control task and the anticipation-response timing tasks, to examine the information processing in the brain in the timing task. Both task were carried out using a computer display placed approximately 1.5 m away from the subject.

  An EEG was recorded from electrodes placed at 128 sites on the scalp. The EEG was separated into frequency bands of beta waves (13-30 Hz) and analyzed.

  The beta wave in the task execution was synthesized with 3 dimension models that were made from the MRI image and was analyzed at 2ms intervals.

  The results were as follows. 1) After excitation in the visual area: the excitation from the occipital association area was moved to parietal association area and temporal association areas, then from these two association area to the prefrontal area and the motor association area. 2) After excitation motor association area: the prefrontal area and the parietal association area repeated the excitation around the motor association area. This activity was observed only in the timing task. 3) In the timing task in comparison with the control task, activation of the motor association area, the parietal association area, the temporal association area and the visual area was observed. 4) It was suggested that the left motor association area, the right parietal association area and the right temporal association area are became involved especially in the accurate timing response.