Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
Trends Neurosci. 2011 Dec;34(12):611-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2011.09.003. Epub 2011 Oct 22.
Synchronised neuronal oscillations at beta frequencies are prevalent in the human motor system, but their function is unclear. In this Opinion article, we propose that the levels of beta oscillations provide a measure of the likelihood that a new voluntary action will need to be actuated. Oscillatory beta activity is in turn modulated by net dopamine levels at sites of cortical input to the basal ganglia. We hypothesise that net dopamine levels are modulated in response to salient internal and external cues. Crucially, the resulting modulation of beta activity is predictive, enabling the appropriate prospective resourcing and preparation of potential actions. Loss of dopamine, as in Parkinson's disease, annuls this function, unless net dopaminergic activity can be elevated through medication.
β 频率的同步神经元振荡在人类运动系统中很常见，但它们的功能尚不清楚。在这篇观点文章中，我们提出β 振荡的水平提供了一个衡量新的自主运动需要被激活的可能性的指标。反过来，振荡的β 活动又受到皮质输入到基底神经节的部位的净多巴胺水平的调制。我们假设净多巴胺水平会对显著的内部和外部线索做出反应进行调节。关键的是，β 活动的这种调节具有预测性，从而能够对潜在的动作进行适当的前瞻性资源配置和准备。如帕金森病中那样，多巴胺的丧失会使这种功能丧失，除非可以通过药物来提高净多巴胺能活性。
