Sensorimotor Rhythm

Oscillatory electrical brain activity recorded over the sensorimotor cortex, the brain region responsible for planning and executing voluntary movements. Sensorimotor rhythms include mu rhythms (8-12 Hz) and beta rhythms (18-26 Hz), which change in amplitude when a person performs, imagines, or plans a movement. In brain-computer interface (BCI) systems, users learn to voluntarily modulate these rhythms to control cursors, select letters, or operate devices without any physical movement. This capability is particularly important for people with severe motor disabilities such as ALS or locked-in syndrome, as it provides a communication channel that depends on brain activity rather than muscle control.