Schmidt, Stefan and Jo, Han-Gue and Wittmann, Marc and Hinterberger, Thilo (2016) 'Catching the waves' - slow cortical potentials as moderator of voluntary action. NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS, 68. pp. 639-650. ISSN 0149-7634, 1873-7528
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
The readiness potential is an ongoing negativity in the EEG preceding a self-initiated movement by approximately 1.5 s. So far it has predominantly been interpreted as a preparatory signal with a causal link to the upcoming movement. Here a different hypothesis is suggested which we call the selective slow cortical potential sampling hypothesis. In this review of recent research results we argue that the initiation of a voluntary action is more likely during negative fluctuations of the slow cortical potential and that the sampling and averaging of many trials leads to the observed negativity. That is, empirical evidence indicates that the early readiness potential is not a neural correlate of preconscious motor preparation and thus a determinant of action. Our hypothesis thereafter challenges the classic interpretation of the Libet experiment which is often taken as proof that there is no free will. We furthermore suggest that slow cortical potentials are related to an urge to act but are not a neural indicator of the decision process of action initiation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | SUPPLEMENTARY MOTOR CORTEX; EVENT-RELATED FMRI; SELF-REGULATION; BRAIN ACTIVITY; FREE WILL; NEURAL ANTECEDENTS; FINGER MOVEMENT; CEREBRAL-CORTEX; READINESS; EEG; Slow cortical potential; Readiness potential; Voluntary action; Libet task; Free will |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Abteilung für Psychosomatische Medizin |
| Depositing User: | Petra Gürster |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Aug 2020 10:51 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Aug 2020 10:51 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/3422 |
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