Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
07:52
In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior
Published on: November 22, 2021
What is optimal about motor control?
1The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, London, UK. k.friston@ucl.ac.uk
Neuron
|November 15, 2011
Summary
Optimal control theory
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Computational Theory
Background:
- The article questions the utility of optimal control theory in motor behavior research.
- It addresses the increasing conflation of internal models in motor control and perception.
Discussion:
- Distinguishes forward models in motor control from generative models in perception.
- Examines whether optimal control is the appropriate framework for motor behavior.
Key Insights:
- Internal models in motor control differ fundamentally from those in perception.
- Optimal control theory may not accurately represent motor behavior mechanisms.
Outlook:
- Explores broader implications for optimal decision theory and Bayesian learning.
- Suggests a re-evaluation of current theoretical frameworks in cognitive science.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Hierarchy 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.
01:10Control Systems
Control systems are everywhere in contemporary society, influencing diverse applications from aerospace to automated manufacturing. These systems can be found naturally within biological processes, such as blood sugar regulation and heart rate adjustment in response to stress, as well as in man-made systems like elevators and automated vehicles. A control system is essentially a network of subsystems and processes that collaboratively convert specific inputs into desired outputs.
At the heart...
At the heart...
01:07Time-Domain Interpretation of PD Control
Proportional-Derivative (PD) control is a widely used control method in various engineering systems to enhance stability and performance. In a system with only proportional control, common issues include high maximum overshoot and oscillation, observed in both the error signal and its rate of change. This behavior can be divided into three distinct phases: initial overshoot, subsequent undershoot, and gradual stabilization.
Consider the example of control of motor torque. Initially, a positive...
Consider the example of control of motor torque. Initially, a positive...
01:17Open and closed-loop control systems
Control systems are foundational elements in automation and engineering. They are broadly categorized into open-loop and closed-loop systems. These classifications hinge on the presence or absence of feedback mechanisms, significantly influencing the system's performance, complexity, and application.
An open-loop control system operates without feedback from the output. It consists of two primary elements: the controller and the controlled process. The controller receives an input signal and...
An open-loop control system operates without feedback from the output. It consists of two primary elements: the controller and the controlled process. The controller receives an input signal and...
01:13Motor Units
The motor unit is a fundamental component of the neuromuscular system and plays a crucial role in coordinating muscle contractions. It consists of a somatic motor neuron, which connects and controls multiple skeletal muscle fibers, forming a single functional segment. The axon of the motor neuron branches out and establishes synaptic connections known as neuromuscular junctions with individual muscle fibers within the motor unit.
Motor units come in different sizes, with smaller units...
Motor units come in different sizes, with smaller units...
00:46Motor Units
A motor unit consists of two main components: a single efferent motor neuron (i.e., a neuron that carries impulses away from the central nervous system) and all of the muscle fibers it innervates. The motor neuron may innervate multiple muscle fibers, which are single cells, but only one motor neuron innervates a single muscle fiber.