Negative emotions reduce sensorimotor cortex activity during proprioceptive modulation of rolandic ∼20HZ beta rhythm in typically developing children and those with neurodevelopmental conditions

Abstract

Background

The Rolandic ∼20-Hz beta rhythm of the sensorimotor cortex is associated with motor function and perception. However, the modulation of this rhythm by different emotional stimuli is an innovative area of research.

Aims

This study aims at investigating the impact of affective pictures (positive, negative, and neutral) on the proprioceptive modulation of the Rolandic ∼20 Hz beta rhythm in typically developing children and children with neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e. cerebral palsy and autism).

Methods and procedures

EEG was recorded while participants experienced passive wrist movements during the simultaneous viewing of affective pictures. Time-frequency analysis of the sensorimotor oscillatory activity was performed.

Outcomes and results

Our findings revealed that pictures with negative emotional valence notably diminish event-related synchronization (ERS) amplitude during the perception of hand movement in all groups of children.

Conclusions and implications

These findings suggest that emotional stimuli, particularly the negative ones, could significantly influence brain's processing of proprioception, adding knowledge to the interaction of common comorbidities, such as sensorimotor disorders and emotional dysregulation, in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.