This document discusses the Bereitschaftspotential (BP), or readiness potential, which is electroencephalographic brain activity that occurs before voluntary movements. The BP starts about 2 seconds before movement onset and is widely distributed over the scalp. The early BP may reflect subconscious readiness while the late BP relates to conscious willingness to move. Factors like type of movement and practice can influence the BP. It has applications in studying movement disorders and distinguishing voluntary from involuntary movements.

1. Bereitschaftspotential
Ade Wijaya, MD – December 2019

2. Introduction
 Kornhuber and Deecke (1964) made the first report
of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity preceding
volitional movement in humans 
Bereitschaftspotential (BP) / Readiness Potential
 Part of Movement-related cortical potentials (MRCP)
 BP starts about 2.0 s before the movement onset. It
is maximal at the midline centro-parietal area, and
symmetrically and widely distributed over the scalp
regardless of the site of movement.
Shibasaki, H., & Hallett, M. (2006). What is the Bereitschaftspotential?. Clinical neurophysiology, 117(11), 2341-2356.

3. Shibasaki, H., & Hallett, M. (2006). What is the Bereitschaftspotential?. Clinical neurophysiology, 117(11), 2341-2356.

4. Early vs Late BP
 Early BP might reflect subconscious readiness for
the forthcoming movement while the
 Late BP might be related to the conscious will to
move
Shibasaki, H., & Hallett, M. (2006). What is the Bereitschaftspotential?. Clinical neurophysiology, 117(11), 2341-2356.

5. Factors Influencing BP
Lang (2003),

6. MRCP Generator Sources
Shibasaki, H., & Hallett, M. (2006). What is the Bereitschaftspotential?. Clinical neurophysiology, 117(11), 2341-2356.

7. BP in Movement Disorders
 Parkinson’s Disease
 Post-stroke recovery
 Focal Dystonia
 One of the most useful clinical application of BP is its
use for detecting the participation of the voluntary
motor system in the generation of ‘psychogenic
involuntary movements’.
Shibasaki, H., & Hallett, M. (2006). What is the Bereitschaftspotential?. Clinical neurophysiology, 117(11), 2341-2356.

8. Summary
 Pre-movement slow negativity
 Early vs Late BP
 Movement disorders
 One of the most useful clinical application of BP is its
use for detecting the participation of the voluntary
motor system in the generation of ‘psychogenic
involuntary movements’.

9. THANK YOU