Neurovascular coupling in the human somatosensory cortex: a single trial study

Neuroreport. 2010 Dec 8;21(17):1106-10. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e3283406615.

Abstract

Oscillations in the higher frequency range are closely related to regional brain hemodynamic changes. Here we investigated this neurovascular coupling in humans in response to electrical stimulation of the right median nerve. In a single-trial study, we simultaneously recorded hemodynamic fluctuations in the somatosensory cortex by near infrared spectroscopy and brain neuronal oscillations by whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG). The results from six volunteers showed that neural fluctuations at β or γ-band power were correlated with hemodynamic fluctuation during stimulus conditions. These correlations were prominent with a time delay of 5-7 s. This study provides new direct evidence that hemodynamic onset lags specific neural oscillations in the order of seconds in human awake conditions using noninvasive methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Beta Rhythm / physiology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Male
  • Median Nerve / physiology
  • Neural Pathways / physiology*
  • Oxyhemoglobins / metabolism
  • Somatosensory Cortex / blood supply
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

Substances

  • Oxyhemoglobins