Tool perception suppresses 10-12 Hz μ rhythm of EEG over the somatosensory area

► EEG wavelet analysis was performed during perception of tools vs. non-manipulable objects. ► Mu (10-12 Hz) suppression was found at centroparietal sites (140-175 ms) during tool perception. ► Mu desynchronization reflects an activation of somatosensory area during processing of tool affordance. ► The area involved may correspond to the anterior intraparietal sulcus (AIP). ► A temporal/functional correlation between μ suppression and later synchronized cortical activity was found.