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Related Concept Videos

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.
Functions of the Nervous System01:18

Functions of the Nervous System

The nervous system is responsible for coordinating and regulating the body's functions. It functions through three main processes: sensory, integrative, and motor processes. Sensory function involves the detection and transmission of information about internal and external stimuli from sensory receptors to the CNS. The CNS processes this information through an integrative function, where it interprets and makes decisions based on the incoming sensory information. Finally, the motor function...
Indirect Motor Pathways01:22

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The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
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Direct Motor Pathways01:11

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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: May 28, 2026

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior
07:52

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

Published on: November 22, 2021

How the brain generates movement.

Uri Rokni1, Haim Sompolinsky

  • 1Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel. uri.rokni@gmail.com

Neural Computation
|October 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The brain may generate movements using a pattern generator with an oscillator. This model explains natural movement properties and proposes a test for neural oscillator involvement in voluntary movement.

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

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Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy of the Sensory and Motor Brain Regions with Simultaneous Kinematic and EMG Monitoring During Motor Tasks
11:31

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy of the Sensory and Motor Brain Regions with Simultaneous Kinematic and EMG Monitoring During Motor Tasks

Published on: December 5, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Computational Neuroscience

Background:

  • The brain transforms static commands into movement segments.
  • The precise neural mechanisms underlying movement generation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and test a hypothesis that a neural oscillator is central to voluntary movement generation.
  • To construct an oscillator-based model of movement generation.

Main Methods:

  • Developed an oscillator-based model where harmonic outputs drive muscle-activating integrators.
  • Implemented the model using a neural network.
  • Characterized tuning properties of neural integrator and oscillator cells.

Main Results:

  • The model generates muscle activation patterns with rectilinear and harmonic terms.
  • These terms explain invariant properties of natural movements, like the bell-shaped velocity profile.
  • Neural network implementation revealed specific tuning properties.

Conclusions:

  • An oscillator-based pattern generator can account for key features of natural movements.
  • The study provides a framework and method to investigate the role of neural oscillators in voluntary movement.
  • Further research can validate the central role of neural oscillators in motor control.