Bereitschaftspotentials as a Tool to Study Motor Neuroscience

The year 2016 marks the 52th anniversary to the discovery of bereitschaftspotentials by Kornhuber and Deecke. Using a unique opisthochronic averaging technique, the discoverers found a consistent negative cortical potential that developed about 1500 to 1000 milliseconds prior to the onset of a self-paced movement. For the first time, it was possible for the scientific world to study the activity of the brain prior to an actual onset of movement. Their discovery changed the outlook of scientific world towards human brain from a passive reflexive organ to an active planner. Ever since this technique has opened new doors to unravel the secrets of motor physiology of the human brain. In this review article, we discuss in details the use of the bereitschaftspotentials to understand the temporal pattern of cortical activity prior to movement in health and in disease, including the study of brain areas and factors influencing motor planning and execution.