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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.09.22.677717

Beta-burst dynamics in the motor cortex are reshaped through sensorimotor refinement

SCHIPPER, K.·Hassan, M.·Draganski, B.·Ruggeri, P.·Barral, J.
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Abstract

Beta-band activity (15-30 Hz) in motor cortex is closely linked to movement-related processing, yet its transient burst dynamics during long-term learning remain poorly understood. We used High-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) to examine how beta bursts change over nine sessions of a bimanual coordination task, under adaptive and non-adaptive training conditions. Both training conditions led to motor skill learning, with the adaptive group improving more during training, but the non-adaptive group showing better retention. With training, contralateral primary motor cortex showed stronger beta desynchronization during movement and greater synchronization after movement. These changes reflected underlying burst dynamics: post-movement bursts became more temporally confined and consistent, with increased probability and reduced timing variability across sessions. Only the adaptive group showed a session-related increase in burst amplitude. These results demonstrate that beta burst features reorganize with practice, providing a temporally precise neural readout of training progression and revealing how different learning conditions shape cortical dynamics over time.

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SCHIPPER, K., Hassan, M., Draganski, B., Ruggeri, P., Barral, J.. 2025-09-22. Beta-burst dynamics in the motor cortex are reshaped through sensorimotor refinement. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.22.677717

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