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Defensive movements evoked by air puff in monkeys
Dylan F Cooke1, Michael S A Graziano
1Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|June 13, 2003
Summary
Electrical stimulation of monkey brain areas ventral intraparietal area (VIP) and polysensory zone (PZ) evokes defensive movements. Air-puff stimuli produced similar movements, but with an initial startle response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Sensory Processing
Background:
- The ventral intraparietal area (VIP) and polysensory zone (PZ) are connected cortical areas in the monkey brain.
- Electrical stimulation of VIP and PZ evokes movements interpreted as defensive responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare movements evoked by air-puff stimuli to those evoked by electrical stimulation of VIP and PZ.
- To investigate the role of VIP and PZ in defensive movement control.
Main Methods:
- Fascicularis monkeys were subjected to air-puff stimuli targeting various body locations.
- Evoked movements were recorded and compared to previously reported movements from VIP and PZ stimulation.
Main Results:
- Air-puff stimuli evoked eye movements toward the center, along with facial, shoulder, head, and arm movements.
- These air-puff-evoked movements were similar to those from VIP and PZ stimulation.
- Air-puff stimuli elicited an initial startle response followed by a sustained, site-specific response, unlike the sustained, receptive field-specific response from VIP/PZ stimulation.
Conclusions:
- VIP and PZ likely contribute to the control of defensive movements.
- These brain areas may prioritize spatially specific reactions following an initial startle response.