Fluctuation amplitude and local synchronization of brain activity in the ultra-low frequency band: An fMRI investigation of continuous feedback of finger force

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of motor feedback have suggested that brain activity in the ultra-low frequency band (0-0.01 Hz) may be physiologically significant for various feedback conditions, i.e., real and sham feedback. However, the functional role of the ultra-low frequency band of brain activity during the feedback procedure remains unclear. Here, we carried out an fMRI study of continuous feedback (8 min) of finger force and assessed two important properties of brain activity: the fluctuation amplitude and local synchronization in the ultra-low frequency band. Two intriguing results were obtained: (1) real feedback recruited a stronger fluctuation amplitude and local synchronization in the basal ganglia compared with sham feedback; however, no significant correlation was found between the two properties across subjects; and (2) the behavioral performance was significantly correlated with the fluctuation amplitude but was not correlated with local synchronization in the basal ganglia. These findings contribute to characterization of the functional role of brain activity in the ultra-low frequency band and further suggest that the fluctuation amplitude and local synchronization in the basal ganglia may contribute differently to motor feedback.