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Readiness potential and movement initiation in the rat.
Tomomi Seki1, Hisae Gemba, Ryuichi Matsuzaki
1Department of Physiology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, 570-8506 Japan. tseki@narasaho-c.ac.jp
The Japanese Journal of Physiology
|March 31, 2005
Summary
A specific brain signal, the surface-negative (s-N), depth-positive (d-P) potential, precedes rat forelimb movements. This readiness potential appears to activate muscles for voluntary movement initiation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Understanding the neural mechanisms preceding voluntary movement is crucial for motor control research.
- Cortical field potentials offer insights into brain activity related to movement preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of cortical field potentials preceding self-paced forelimb movements in rats.
- To determine the relationship between these potentials and motor cortex stimulation-induced muscle activity.
Main Methods:
- Chronic electrode implantation on the surface and at depth in rat cortical areas.
- Recording of cortical field potentials during self-paced forelimb movements.
- Electromyographic recording following electrical stimulation of various cortical loci.
Main Results:
- A surface-negative (s-N), depth-positive (d-P) potential was observed 0.5-1.5 seconds before movement onset in motor and somatosensory cortices, but not occipital cortex.
- Stimulation of the forelimb motor cortex activated facial and forelimb muscles.
- The s-N, d-P potential sites correlated with cortical loci that could induce contralateral forelimb muscle activity.
Conclusions:
- The recorded s-N, d-P potential is suggested to be a readiness potential.
- This readiness potential is likely involved in activating muscles for initiating voluntary forelimb movements in rats.