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Measuring and Manipulating Functionally Specific Neural Pathways in the Human Motor System with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: February 23, 2020
Primary motor cortex and movement prevention: where Stop meets Go.
Cathy M Stinear1, James P Coxon, Winston D Byblow
1Movement Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Sport & Exercise Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand. c.stinear@auckland.ac.nz
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|September 16, 2008
Summary
Primary motor cortex (M1) plays a key role in stopping planned movements. Research shows M1 uses rapid inhibition to prevent actions, contrasting with selective inhibition for initiating movement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Movement control involves complex interactions between the frontal cortex and basal ganglia.
- Primary motor cortex (M1) serves as a crucial final cortical processing hub for motor commands.
- Inhibitory mechanisms within M1 are implicated in suppressing planned actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of primary motor cortex (M1) in movement prevention.
- To explore how intracortical inhibition in M1 is modulated during movement initiation versus prevention.
- To examine the link between deficient intracortical inhibition and behavioral inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on M1 function in movement control.
- Analysis of studies utilizing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to assess corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition.
- Examination of neuropathological conditions associated with movement inhibition deficits.
Main Results:
- M1 intracortical inhibition is selectively reduced to initiate voluntary movements.
- Movement prevention involves rapid, non-selective recruitment of inhibition within M1.
- Deficient intracortical inhibition is associated with impaired behavioral inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Primary motor cortex (M1) is critical for the final stage of response inhibition.
- While M1's precise links to the fronto-basal-ganglia network are still being investigated, its role in movement suppression is evident.
- TMS is a valuable tool for studying movement prevention, despite limitations.
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