Why do we move to the beat? A multi-scale approach, from physical principles to brain dynamics. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Damm, Loïc; Varoqui, Déborah; De Cock, Valérie Cochen; Dalla Bella, Simone; Bardy, Benoît
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 112(2020)
• Page Start: 553
• Page End: 584
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Rhythm -- Synchronization -- Music -- Auditory cueing -- Walking -- Running -- Cadence -- Dynamical systems -- Oscillators -- Beat -- Prediction; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Locomotion and a large number of natural movements consist of neuronal and mechanical oscillations. Evidences exist that predictable beat-based auditory stimulations entrain neuronal activity. Modelling external and internal rhythms as oscillators provides a unified theoretical framework. Neural mechanisms associated with beat tracking ability support gait rehabilitation of Parkinson's disease patients. Exogenous rhythms, in order to entrain locomotion, need to comply with specific properties of biological oscillators. Abstract: Humans' ability to synchronize movement with auditory rhythms relies on motor networks, such as cortical areas, basal ganglia and the cerebellum, which also participate in rhythm perception and movement production. Current research has provided insights into the dependence of this action-perception coupling upon the entrainment of neuronal activity by external rhythms. At a physical level, advances on wearable robotics have enriched our understanding of the dynamical properties of the locomotor system showing evidence of mechanical entrainment. Here we defend the view that modelling brain and locomotor oscillatory activities as dynamical systems, at both neural and physical levels, provides a unified theoretical framework for the understanding of externally driven rhythmic entrainment of biological systems. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of this multi-level entrainment during locomotion, we review in a common framework the core questions related to the dynamic properties of biological oscillators and the neural bases of auditory-motor synchronization. Illustrations of our approach, using personalized auditory stimulation, to gait rehabilitation in Parkinson disease and to manipulation of runners' kinematics are presented.