Physiological basis of rhythm perception and reproduction in neurology
A.V. Kovaleva

P.K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow

The processes of perception and reproduction of rhythm affect the vast areas of the auditory, motor cortex, prefrontal cortical areas, and also subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia, the cerebellum and others. Perception and rhythm reproduction are most often investigated by the results of a person’s sensomotor synchronization task performance, when a person needs to synchronize his/her movements with sound or visual stimulus. The review examines approaches to the study of perception and reproduction of rhythm, describes the current understanding of the role of various brain structures in this process, as well as the connection of rhythmic praxis to cognitive functions. The emphasis is on the role of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in the processes of auditory-motor synchronization. The last part of the review is devoted to the consideration of approaches to the rehabilitation of patients with various neurological pathologies (autism, strokes, parkinsonism, Huntington’s chorea, brain tumors) with the help of music, rhythmic sound stimulation and performing tasks for synchronization with rhythm. Motor rehabilitation, including with the use of music and rhythmic influences, is widely used to develop coordination and regulation of sensory and motor information processing, which is a necessary condition for social interaction, voice communication and, in general, for integration with the environment.

Key words: rhythm, tapping, auditory-motor synchronization, rhythmic praxis, cerebellum, cognitive functions, rehabilitation, autism, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s chorea, brain tumor.
For citation: Kovaleva A.V. Physiological basis of rhythm perception and reproduction in neurology // RMJ. 2018. № 12(I). P. 61–65.