Complex phase synchronization in neurophysiological data (Q4249683)

Synchronization is a general phenomenon that appears in various fields of science. As a consequence of its generality it lacks a unique definition. We understand synchronization in terms of phase synchronization, i.e. adjustment of rhythms of two interacting self-sustained oscillators. This type of synchronization will be explained. The concept of phase synchronization was already used for the analysis of bivariate data and revealed different synchronization patterns occuring in visually guided tracking movements. Several central issues in neuroscience also refer to phase synchronization processes. For this reason we have developed a method for the detection of \(n:m\) phase synchronization in magnetoencephalography (MEG) data and related signals. We apply our method here in order to analyse MEG data and electromyogram (EMG) data from patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. The spatio-temporal synchronization patterns revealed by our approach will be compared with results of previous studies. This will point out that our single run analysis tool provides us with additional information which is important from the physiological point of view. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0907.00028].