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Related Concept Videos

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex01:14

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

Hierarchy of Motor Control

The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
Direct Motor Pathways01:11

Direct Motor Pathways

The direct motor pathways, also known as the pyramidal tracts, are a group of neural pathways that originate in the brain and descend through the spinal cord. They control the voluntary movement of the body. There are two major direct motor pathways: the corticospinal and the corticobulbar tracts.
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and the...
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Diencephalon: Thalamus and Information Relay01:27

Diencephalon: Thalamus and Information Relay

The thalamus, often called “the gateway to the cerebral cortex,” is vital in processing and directing sensory and motor signals throughout the brain. Almost all inputs destined for the cerebral cortex, except for olfactory signals, are relayed through the thalamus. The thalamus is  a sophisticated relay station, channeling information from various brain regions to the cerebral cortex, as well as a filter, prioritizing certain signals over others based on current physiological states or needs.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings
07:08

Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings

Published on: August 1, 2018

Decoding higher-order motor information from primate non-primary motor cortices.

Toshi Nakajima1, Hajime Mushiake, Toshio Inui

  • 1Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. toxinak@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp

Technology and Health Care : Official Journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine
|March 16, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Neurons in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA) show distinct activity patterns for unimanual versus bimanual movements. This brain activity may inform future brain-machine interfaces for prosthetic arm control.

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Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates
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Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings
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Measuring and Manipulating Functionally Specific Neural Pathways in the Human Motor System with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates
16:00

Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates

Published on: November 11, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Primate Studies

Background:

  • The supplementary motor area (SMA) and presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA) are crucial for motor planning and execution.
  • Understanding the neural basis of sequential movements, especially bimanual tasks, is key to advancing motor control research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of primate non-primary motor cortices (SMA and pre-SMA) in bimanual sequential movements.
  • To differentiate neuronal activity patterns in SMA and pre-SMA during unimanual versus bimanual tasks.
  • To explore the potential of this neural information for brain-machine interfaces.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded neuronal activity in the SMA and pre-SMA of primates during delayed sequential arm movements.
  • Simultaneously recorded electromyograms (EMGs) from arm muscles.
  • Focused analysis on neuronal activity preceding movement onset.

Main Results:

  • Forelimb muscle activity was selective for impending movements but independent of unimanual/bimanual context.
  • Neurons in SMA and pre-SMA exhibited differential activity based on whether movements were unimanual or bimanual.
  • Distinct neural signatures were observed in non-primary motor cortices before movement execution.

Conclusions:

  • Neuronal activity in SMA and pre-SMA encodes higher-order information about intended arm use prior to motor execution.
  • This pre-movement neural coding differentiates between unimanual and bimanual actions.
  • Findings suggest potential for brain-machine interfaces to leverage this information for advanced prosthetic control.