Event‐related beta desynchronization in human subthalamic nucleus correlates with motor performance

Although the basal ganglia play an important role in self-generated movement, their involvement in externally paced voluntary movement is less clear. We recorded local field potentials (LFPs) from the region of the subthalamic nuclei of eight patients with Parkinson's disease during the performance of a warned reaction time task in which an imperative cue instructed the subject to move or not to move. In 'go' trials, LFP activity in the beta frequency band ( approximately 20 Hz) decreased prior to movement, with an onset latency that strongly correlated with mean reaction time across patients. This was followed by a late post-movement increase in beta power. In contrast, in 'nogo' trials the beta power drop…