Post-movement EEG synchronization studied with different high resolution methods

In this paper we present a study of spline surface Laplacian (LP), linear estimation (LE) and analytical deblurring (AD) utilized to improve the spatial resolution of single trial EEG data. AD is a method to reconstruct the potential distribution on the cortical surface. The dependency of AD on the electrode grid size as well as the sensitivity to uncorrelated noise and errors in the volume conductor model are investigated in detail and compared with LP. Finally, all methods (LP, LE and AD) are applied to single trial EEG data recorded in three subjects during voluntary and self-paced extension and flexion movements of the right index finger. In each subject postmovement beta oscillations were found in specific frequency bands. Cortical dipolar source strengths were reconstructed by LE and cortex potentials were estimated with AD. Both results are compared with LP calculated from the scalp EEG. All methods, although having different theoretical basis, yield similar results and reveal a maximal event-related synchronization over the left sensorimotor area approximately 500-875 ms after termination of the movement.