A Multi-feature Fuzzy Index to Assess Stress Level from Bio-signals.

A mono-feature fuzzy index that evaluates the stress level from one feature extracted from ECG or GSR is presented. It is build using several measures of the feature recorded when the subject is at rest. The mono-feature fuzzy index can be merged in a multi-feature stress index without any tuning. It can be used to select relevant features and to detect stress. The performance of the stress index is analyzed on a data set made of 160 time periods of time when 20 subjects had to perform stressful tasks and corresponding control tasks. The stress was induced by 4 different tasks. The performances reached are 72% of correctly classified time periods in stress and no stress situations. Interesting conclusions could also be made on the tasks ability to induce stress.

Magnetocardiography measurements with 4He vector optically pumped magnetometers at room temperature.

In this paper, we present a proof of concept study which demonstrates for the first time the possibility of recording magnetocardiography (MCG) signals with 4He vector optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) operated in a gradiometer mode. Resulting from a compromise between sensitivity, size and operability in a clinical environment, the developed magnetometers are based on the parametric resonance of helium in a zero magnetic field. Sensors are operated at room temperature and provide a tri-axis vector measurement of the magnetic field. Measured sensitivity is around 210 f T (√Hz)-1 in the bandwidth (2 Hz; 300 Hz). MCG signals from a phantom and two healthy subjects are successfully recorded. Human MCG data obtained with the OPMs are compared to reference electrocardiogram recordings: similar heart rates, shapes of the main patterns of the cardiac cycle (P/T waves, QRS complex) and QRS widths are obtained with both techniques.

Single-trial decoding of auditory novelty responses facilitates the detection of residual consciousness.

Detecting residual consciousness in unresponsive patients is a major clinical concern and a challenge for theoretical neuroscience. To tackle this issue, we recently designed a paradigm that dissociates two electro-encephalographic (EEG) responses to auditory novelty. Whereas a local change in pitch automatically elicits a mismatch negativity (MMN), a change in global sound sequence leads to a late P300b response. The latter component is thought to be present only when subjects consciously perceive the global novelty. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to detect because individual variability is high, especially in clinical recordings. Here, we show that multivariate pattern classifiers can extract subject-specific EEG patterns and predict single-trial local or global novelty responses. We first validate our method with 38 high-density EEG, MEG and intracranial EEG recordings. We empirically demonstrate that our approach circumvents the issues associated with multiple comparisons and individual variability while improving the statistics. Moreover, we confirm in control subjects that local responses are robust to distraction whereas global responses depend on attention. We then investigate 104 vegetative state (VS), minimally conscious state (MCS) and conscious state (CS) patients recorded with high-density EEG. For the local response, the proportion of significant decoding scores (M=60%) does not vary with the state of consciousness. By contrast, for the global response, only 14% of the VS patients' EEG recordings presented a significant effect, compared to 31% in MCS patients' and 52% in CS patients'. In conclusion, single-trial multivariate decoding of novelty responses provides valuable information in non-communicating patients and paves the way towards real-time monitoring of the state of consciousness.

Anticipatory postural adjustments associated with arm movement in Parkinson's disease: a biomechanical analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To study anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) via a biomechanical analysis, including vertical torque (Tz). METHODS: Ten patients with PD (in the "off-drug" condition) and 10 age matched controls were included. While standing on a force platform, the subject performed a right shoulder flexion in order to grasp a handle in front of him/her, under three conditions (all at maximal velocity): movement triggered by a sound signal and loaded/non-loaded, self-paced movement. The anteroposterior coordinates of the centre of pressure (COP) and Tz were calculated. RESULTS: A group effect was observed for Tz and COP in patients with PD (compared with controls): the maximal velocity peak appeared later and the amplitude of the COP backward displacement and the area of the positive phase of Tz were lower, whereas the duration of the positive phase of Tz was greater. Interaction analysis showed that the area of Tz was especially affected in the triggered condition and the loaded, self-paced condition. The onset of the COP backward displacement was delayed in the triggered condition. CONCLUSION: Our biomechanical analysis revealed that patients with PD do indeed perform APAs prior to unilateral arm movement, although there were some abnormalities. The reduced APA magnitude appears to correspond to a strategy for not endangering postural balance.

Motor representation areas in epileptic patients with focal motor seizures: a TMS study.

PURPOSE: This study used TMS mapping to investigate the motor representation of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscles in a group of patients with focal epilepsy originating in central or pre-central region. METHODS: Eight epileptic patients and eight control subjects participated in the study. The coil was moved in 1.5-cm steps along a grid drawn on the subject's skull over the motor cortex of both hemispheres. At each site, six APB motor responses (evoked by TMS at 1.2 times the resting motor threshold) were recorded and averaged. The peak-to-peak amplitude was measured and plotted against the mediolateral and anteroposterior coil positions. The area of each APB muscle representation was measured and the position of the optimal point was calculated. RESULTS: The resting motor threshold was increased bilaterally in epileptic patients. The maps were distorted in most patients (but not in control subjects), as evidenced by an off-centre optimal point. Interhemispheric differences in APB map areas were greater in patients than in control subjects. However, whether these increases in map area were on the epileptic side or on healthy side depended on the given subject. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in APB representation observed in epileptic patients demonstrate that reorganization occurs within the motor cortex. The heterogeneity of the present results is probably related to different locations of the epileptogenic and/or lesional areas and to a variety of compensatory phenomena that may occur, notably with respect to the disease duration.

A biomechanical study of gait initiation in Huntington's disease.

BACKGROUND: Akinesia in basal ganglia disorders is essentially defined by delayed movement initiation; the reaction time increases and it becomes difficult (or even impossible) for the subject to initiate movement. A biomechanical study of gait initiation would help evaluate the role of akinesia in early stage Huntington's disease (HD) patients. METHODS: We recorded kinematic, spatiotemporal and angular parameters (using video motion analysis, a force platform and an optoelectronic system) for the first two steps taken by 15 HD patients and 15 gender- and age-matched controls. In order to evaluate the influence of an external cue on gait initiation parameters, we studied two movement paradigms: self-triggered initiation and initiation triggered (cued) by a "beep" sound. We analyzed kinematic, spatiotemporal (the speed, length and duration of the two first steps) and angular parameters (range of joint angles) as well as kinetic data (the trajectory of the centre of pressure (COP); the speed and trajectory of the centre of mass (COM)). RESULTS: HD patients presented akinesia in both externally triggered and self-triggered conditions. Patients had more difficulties with self-triggered gait than with triggered gait. In HD, anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) were more impaired in self-triggered gait initiation than in cued initiation. Indeed, an alteration in the kinetic parameters revealed a reduction in first step speed in both conditions. Hypokinesia (as assessed by a reduction in the range of angle joints) played an important role in this reduction. CONCLUSION: Akinesia is a major feature of impaired gait initiation in HD. The deficiencies in self-triggered initiation in HD seen here fit with a hypothesis whereby deficient internal cueing can be replaced by an external trigger.

Movement-related cortical activation in familial Parkinson disease.

We sought to determine whether or not first-degree relatives of patients with familial Parkinson disease (FDRs) present impaired movement-related cortical activity. We studied 10 familial Parkinson disease subjects, 10 FDRs, and 10 controls and analyzed event-related mu desynchronization (ERD) and beta synchronization. Forty percent FDRs presented reduced premovement mu ERD latency, suggesting that premovement cortical activation is impaired in FDRs.

Oscillatory cortical activity related to voluntary muscle relaxation: influence of normal aging.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to investigate if there are age-related differences in cortical oscillatory activity induced by self-paced muscular pure relaxation in comparison with muscle contraction as reference movement. METHODS: Event-related (de)synchronization (ERD/ERS) have been recorded related to voluntary muscle contraction and relaxation in 10 young and 10 elderly right-handed healthy subjects. The muscle relaxation task consisted in a voluntary relaxation of maintained wrist extension without any overt, associated muscle contraction. The muscle contraction task corresponded to a self-initiated brief wrist extension. RESULTS: In elderly subjects compared to young ones, mu and beta ERD preceding muscular relaxation was more widespread, beginning significantly earlier over contralateral frontocentral and parietocentral regions (p<0.05) as well as over ipsilateral regions (p<0.05). The beta synchronization was significantly attenuated (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an alteration of inhibitory motor systems and an altered post-movement somesthetic inputs processing with normal aging. These alterations were accompanied by compensatory mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE: These age-related alterations during different phases of muscle relaxation could participate to explain global sensorimotor slowing observed with normal aging.

Predominance of the contralateral movement-related activity in the subthalamo-cortical loop.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormal low- and high-frequency oscillatory activities have been linked to abnormal movement control in Parkinson's disease. We aimed to study how low- and high-frequency oscillatory activities are modulated by movement in the contralateral and ipsilateral subcorticocortical loops. METHODS: We studied mu, beta and gamma rhythm event-related desynchronisation (ERD) and synchronisation (ERS) recorded from electrode contacts in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) areas and over the primary sensorimotor (PSM) cortex. RESULTS: Mu and beta ERD/ERS patterns were very similar when comparing PSM cortex and STN areas and very different when comparing contralateral and ipsilateral structures. Beta rhythm ERS was more predominant over contralateral structures than over ipsilateral ones. Gamma rhythm ERS was only recorded from the contralateral STN area (particularly following administration of L-Dopa). For all patients, the best bipolar derivations - as defined by the earliest mu and beta ERD and the strongest beta and gamma ERS - always included the STN electrode contacts that produced the best clinical results. CONCLUSIONS: Movement-related activity is involved in the movement preparation in the contralateral subthalamo-cortical loop and in the movement execution in the bilateral subthalamo-cortical loops. SIGNIFICANCE: Contralateral beta rhythm ERD seemed to be related to bradykinesia of the limb performing the movement.

Realistic modeling of entorhinal cortex field potentials and interpretation of epileptic activity in the guinea pig isolated brain preparation.

Mechanisms underlying epileptic activities recorded from entorhinal cortex (EC) were studied through a computational model based on review of cytoarchitectonic and neurobiological data about this structure. The purpose of this study is to describe and use this model to interpret epileptiform discharge patterns recorded in an experimental model of ictogenesis (guinea pig isolated brain perfused with bicuculline). A macroscopic modeling approach representing synaptic interactions between cells subpopulations in the EC was chosen for its adequacy to mimic field potentials reflecting overall dynamics rising from interconnected cells populations. Therefore intrinsic properties of neurons were not included in the modeling design. Model parameters were adjusted from an identification procedure based on quantitative comparison between real and simulated signals. For both EC deep and superficial layers, results show that the model generates very realistic signals regarding temporal dynamics, spectral features, and cross-correlation values. These simulations allowed us to infer information about the evolution of synaptic transmission between principal cell and interneuronal populations and about connectivity between deep and superficial layers during the transition from background to ictal activity. In the model, this transition was obtained for increased excitation in deep versus superficial layers. Transitions between epileptiform activities [interictal spikes, fast onset activity (25 Hz), ictal bursting activity] were explained by changes of parameters mainly related to GABAergic interactions. Notably, the model predicted an important role of GABAa,fast- and GABAb-receptor-mediated inhibition in the generation of ictal fast onset and burst activities, respectively. These findings are discussed with respect to experimental data.

Relationship between event-related beta synchronization and afferent inputs: analysis of finger movement and peripheral nerve stimulations.

OBJECTIVE: We compared beta synchronization associated with voluntary finger movement with beta synchronization produced by sensory stimulation, in order to better understand the relationship between event-related beta synchronization (ERS) and the different afferent inputs. METHODS: Twenty-four subjects performed an index finger extension. They also received three types of electrical stimulation (cutaneous stimulation of the index finger, single and repetitive stimulation of the median nerve). An EEG was recorded using 38 scalp electrodes. Beta ERS was analyzed with respect to movement offset and the stimulus (or the last stimulus in the series, for repetitive stimulation). RESULTS: Median nerve stimulation and finger extension induced more intense beta ERS than cutaneous stimulation. The magnitude of beta ERS induced by movement or by single median nerve stimulation were not different but post movement beta synchronization duration was longer than beta ERS induced by single median nerve stimulation and cutaneous stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that beta ERS depends on the type and quantity of the afferent input. SIGNIFICANCE: This work reinforces the hypothesis of a relationship between beta ERS and processing of afferent inputs.

[Pathophysiological mechanisms implicated by high-frequency stimulation in Parkinson's disease: the restoration of high and low frequency oscillatory systems]. / Mécanismes physiopathologiques de la stimulation à haute fréquence dans la maladie de Parkinson: restauration des systèmes oscillatoires de haute et basse fréquences.

INTRODUCTION: Increased neuronal activity in the internal pallidum (GPi) and the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been clearly demonstrated in Parkinsonian models, and the two structures have thus been selected as therapeutic targets for functional neurosurgery. High-frequency electrical stimulation of the GPi or the STN improves the parkinsonian symptoms but also dyskinesias directly by GPi stimulation or indirectly by reduction of L-Dopa associated with STN stimulation. According to Alexander's model of the organisation of the basal ganglia, electrical stimulation of GPi or STN should have led to uncontrolled hyperkinesia. This apparent paradox could be explained on one hand by the involvement of different anatomo-functional areas within these structures and on the other by spatial and temporal changes in neuronal discharge patterns in the basal ganglia which in turn produce variations in synchronisation. RESULTS: Event-related (de)synchronisation (ERD) has enabled us to study variations in subcortico-cortical oscillatory activity: it has been shown that high-frequency electrical stimulation of the GPi/STN increases desynchronisation of low frequency rhythms (mu and beta,<30 Hz) during movement preparation and execution and augments post-movement synchronisation. Stimulation also decreases the abnormal frontocentral spreading of desynchronisation during movement preparation. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with previous coherence analyses, electrical stimulation of STN is likely to restore the activity of high-frequency and low-frequency systems, as evidenced by a decrease in the hypersynchronisation of low-frequency rhythms at rest and restoral of a high-frequency rhythm during movement. Stimulation may improve spatial selectivity by activating the selected programs in conjunction with the primary sensorimotor cortex, whilst inhibiting competitive programs represented by abnormal spreading outside the primary sensorimotor cortex.

[Differences in anticipatory postural adjustments between self-generated and triggered gait initiation in 20 healthy subjects]. / Caractérisation des ajustements posturaux lors d'une initiation de la marche déclenchée par un stimulus sonore et autocommandée chez 20 sujets sains.

OBJECTIVE: Preparation of upper-limb movements differs between self-paced and triggered conditions. This study analyzed the anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) of gait initiation in normal subjects in 2 conditions: self-generated and triggered by a "beep" sound. METHODS: We recorded kinematic, spatiotemporal parameters of the first two steps by means of video motion analysis (6 infrared cameras), and kinetic parameters (using a force platform and the optoelectronic system) in 20 normal subjects. Two conditions: 1) self-generated initiation; and 2) initiation triggered by a "beep" sound were studied to evaluate the APA phase, by recording kinetic data (duration of the APAs, trajectory of the center of pressure, speed and trajectory of the center of mass). Kinematic data (first and second step speed, length and duration) were also recorded. RESULTS: First step speed and length were increased in self-paced gait initiation compared to triggered gait initiation in controls. We found no difference between the 2 conditions in terms of second step kinematic data. It was caused by a significant difference between the 2 conditions for the temporal characteristics of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in the initiation of the first step, which was longer when normal subjects performed self-generated gait initiation. The trajectory of center of pressure and center of mass remained the same in the 2 conditions. CONCLUSION: APAs of gait initiation process are delayed under self-paced condition, although they do not differ qualitatively between reaction time and self-paced condition. Neuphysiological support of self-generated movement could explain these differences.

Influence of aging on cortical activity associated with a visuo-motor task.

The aim of this study was to determine how cerebral aging influences the pattern of cortical oscillatory activity when a targeting movement with visual control is planned. Changes in cortical oscillatory activity were assessed by recording the event-related (de)synchronization (ERD/S) of micro and beta rhythms. Young and elderly subjects performed a distal movement, a proximal movement and a visuo-guided targeting movement. Our results demonstrated an increase in micro ERD over ipsilateral regions and showed the spatial extent of micro ERD over parietocentral and parietal regions during motor planning in elderly subjects compared to young ones. After the movement, the beta ERS was significantly modified (a decrease in slope and amplitude) in elderly subjects. The most pronounced age-related changes in ERD/S pattern were observed for the targeting movement. Our results suggest that motor planning is less efficient in elderly subjects. This deficit might result from impaired parietal integrative function and/or changes in inputs from subcortical structures. Subsequently, the changes observed in the post-movement phase might reflect a decrease in (reafferent) sensory inputs and hence impaired their input processing.

Subthalamic nucleus stimulation modulates motor cortex oscillatory activity in Parkinson's disease.

In Parkinson's disease, impaired motor preparation has been related to an increased latency in the appearance of movement-related desynchronization (MRD) throughout the contralateral primary sensorimotor (PSM) cortex. Internal globus pallidus (GPi) stimulation improved movement desynchronization over the PSM cortex during movement execution but failed to improve impaired motor preparation. PET studies indicate that subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation partly reverses the abnormal premotor pattern of brain activation during movement. By monitoring MRD, we aimed to assess changes in premotor and PSM cortex oscillatory activity induced by bilateral STN stimulation and to compare these changes with those induced by l-dopa. Ten Parkinson's disease patients and a group of healthy, age-matched controls performed self-paced wrist flexions in each of four conditions: without either stimulation or l-dopa (the 'off' condition), with stimulation and without l-dopa (On Stim), with l-dopa and without stimulation ('on drug'), and with both stimulation and l-dopa (On Both). Compared with the Off condition, in both the On Stim and the On Drug condition the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III score decreased by about 60% and in the On Both condition it decreased by 80%. The desynchronization latency over central regions contralateral to movement and the movement desynchronization over bilateral central regions were significantly increased by stimulation and by l-dopa, with a maximal effect when the two were associated. Furthermore, desynchronization latency significantly decreased over bilateral frontocentral regions in the three treatment conditions compared with the Off condition. In Parkinson's disease, STN stimulation may induce a change in abnormal cortical oscillatory activity patterns (similar to that produced by l-dopa) by decreasing the abnormal spreading of desynchronization over frontocentral regions and increasing PSM cortex activity during movement preparation and execution, with a correlated improvement in bradykinesia. Parkinsonians under treatment displayed a desynchronization pattern close to that seen in healthy, age-matched controls, although central latencies remained shorter. The study indicates that it is possible to influence cortical reactivity related to the planning and execution of voluntary movement through the basal ganglia, and furthermore that the oscillatory activity of the PSM cortex (in addition to that of premotor areas) could be of major importance in the control of movement-associated, neural activity in Parkinson's disease.

Effect of L-Dopa on the pattern of movement-related (de)synchronisation in advanced Parkinson's disease.

In the early stages of Parkinson's disease (PD), impaired motor preparation has been related to a delay of mu rhythm movement-related desynchronisation, suggesting hypoactivation of the contralateral, primary sensorimotor (PSM) cortex. Following movement, a decrease in the amplitude of beta rhythm movement-related synchronisation was observed over the same region. This decrease--not seen in control subjects--was thus thought to be related to an impairment in cortical deactivation. By monitoring movement-related (de)synchronisation, we aimed (i) to extend to advanced PD the observations made in less-advanced situations and (ii) to test the effect of acute L-Dopa on these abnormalities. The United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III score decreased by about 60% following acute L-Dopa administration, and we observed the following concurrent changes: a marked increase in mu desynchronisation pre-movement latency (thus reduced delay) during movement preparation over contralateral, central regions; an increase in mu desynchronisation during movement execution over bilateral central regions; a decrease in mu desynchronisation latency over bilateral frontocentral regions, and a significant increase in beta synchronisation over contralateral, central regions after movement. Changes of mu and beta rhythm parameters seemed to be inversely correlated with bradykinesia. Mu rhythm desynchronisation latency and beta synchronisation amplitude further decreased in advanced PD compared to earlier stages of the disease, suggesting greater impairment of cortical activation/deactivation as the disease progresses. L-Dopa partially restored the abnormal mu and beta rhythm cortical (de)synchronisation patterns over the PSM cortex.

Motor preparation is more impaired in Parkinson's disease when sensorimotor integration is involved.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate changes in spatio-temporal, event-related (de)synchronization (ERD/ERS) patterns recorded with respect to the more akinetic versus the less akinetic side during performance of a visuo-guided targeting movement when compared to an index finger extension. METHODS: Twelve de novo parkinsonian patients were recorded. ERD/ERS in mu and beta frequency bands was computed from 21 source derivations. RESULTS: When the index finger extension was performed with the less akinetic limb, mu ERD focused over contralateral central region appeared 2 s before movement. With the targeting movement, additional pre-movement mu ERD was observed over the parietal region, as well as earlier ipsilateral mu ERD. When the same movements were performed with the more akinetic limb, we observed delayed mu ERD over contralateral regions, earlier ipsilateral mu ERD and a lack of contralateral parietal mu ERD before the targeting movement. Following index finger extension for the less akinetic limb, a focused contralateral central beta ERS was recorded, increasing and spreading after the targeting movement. In contrast, for the more akinetic limb, beta ERS was dramatically attenuated and remained unchanged after the targeting movement. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the fact that motor programming is delayed, and provide some insight into what may well be impaired sensorimotor integration in Parkinson's disease.

Subthalamic stimulation influences postmovement cortical somatosensory processing in Parkinson's disease.

In Parkinson's disease, poor motor performance (resulting primarily from abnormal cortical activation during movement preparation and execution) may also be due to impaired sensorimotor integration and defective cortical activity termination of the ongoing movement, thus delaying preparation of the following one. Reduced movement-related synchronization of the beta rhythm in Parkinson's disease compared to controls has been put forward as evidence for impaired postmovement cortical deactivation. We assessed the effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation and l-dopa on beta rhythm synchronization over the premotor and primary sensorimotor cortex. Ten advanced patients performed self-paced wrist flexion in four conditions according to the presence or not of stimulation and l-dopa. Compared to without treatment, the motor score improved by approximately 60%; the beta synchronization was present over the contralateral frontocentral region and increased significantly over the contralateral central region under stimulation and under l-dopa, with a maximal effect when both treatments were associated. Our advanced patients displayed very focused and attenuated beta rhythm synchronization which, under stimulation, increased over the contralateral premotor and primary sensorimotor cortex. Stimulation and l-dopa both partly restored postmovement cortical deactivation in advanced Parkinson's disease, although the respective mechanisms probably differ. They may improve bradykinesia and cortical deactivation by reestablishing movement-related somatosensory processing at the end of the movement through the basal ganglia into the cortex.

Changes in oscillatory cortical activity related to a visuomotor task in young and elderly healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: In order to better understand the spatio-temporal interaction of the activated cortical areas when the movement is visuo-guided and to assess the age effect on the spatio-temporal pattern of cortical activity, we have compared a proximo-distal movement with visual-motor control and hand-eye coordination (targeting movement) with a distal and a proximal movement. METHODS: Brain's electrical activity was studied using the analysis of event-related (de)synchronizations (ERD/S) of cortical mu and beta rhythms in 17 subjects, 8 young and 9 elderly subjects. RESULTS: In both populations, we found an earlier and broader mu and beta ERD during the preparation of the targeting movement compared to distal and proximal movements, principally involving the contralateral parietal region. During the execution, a spreading over the parietocentral region during proximal movement and over the parietal region during targeting movement was observed. After the execution of proximal and targeting movements, a wider and higher beta ERS was observed only in the young subjects. In the elderly subjects, our results showed a significant decrease of beta ERS during the targeting task. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest there was a larger recruitment of cortical areas, involving notably the parietal cortex when the movement is visuo-guided. Moreover, cerebral aging-related changes in the spatio-temporal beta ERS pattern suggests an impaired sensory integration.

Event-related variations in the activity of EEG-rhythms. Application to the physiology and the pathology of movements.

The averaging of the ongoing activity of the electroencephalogram (EEG) allows extracting the potentials that are time-locked and phase-locked to an event. These potentials are described as evoked potentials. There is another type of change in the ongoing EEG, which is time-locked but not phase-locked to an event: the EEG rhythm reactivity, also called "Event-Related Desynchronization and Synchronization" (ERD/ERS) by Pfurtscheller. These changes are often visible to the naked eye but they cannot be extracted by the averaging technique. Their quantification requires another method, which was suggested by Pfurtscheller and Aranibar in 1977. This method consists in measuring the temporal evolution of the power of EEG signal within a given frequency band before, during, and after an event. ERD corresponds to the decrease in power of an EEG rhythm related to an event. Conversely, ERS corresponds to an increase in amplitude of an EEG rhythm related to the event. ERD represents the activation of the subjacent cortical areas. ERS would partly traduce the setting at rest of the cortex; it would also be related to the somesthetics afferents inputs. This method can be applied to the study of cortical activation in many situations: memory tasks, auditory processing, attention, anticipatory behavior, and voluntary movement. Thus, a voluntary self-paced movement of the dominant hand is preceded by an ERD of mu and beta rhythms occurring respectively 2 000 and 1 500 ms before the movement onset. This ERD is recorded over the contralateral central region. It becomes bilateral at the movement onset and reaches its maximum at the movement offset. It is then followed by an ERS of the beta rhythms. We show that ERD/ERS phenomena vary with the type of movement, and that their study allows exploring the modifications of cortical excitability that are observed in Parkinson's disease and in epilepsy with focal motor seizures.