Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
12:09
Stimulating the Lip Motor Cortex with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: June 14, 2014
A computational role for bistability and traveling waves in motor cortex
Stewart Heitmann1, Pulin Gong, Michael Breakspear
1School of Psychiatry, The University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience
|September 14, 2012
Summary
The brain uses neural oscillations in motor cortex to rapidly switch between brain states for behavior. Researchers found that adjusting neural connections can control these transitions, enabling faster motor control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Motor Control
Background:
- Adaptive behavior necessitates rapid shifts in brain states while maintaining stability.
- Understanding neural mechanisms for rapid state transitions in the motor cortex is crucial for explaining motor control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neural mechanisms for rapid transitions between spatiotemporal synchronization patterns of beta oscillations (13-30 Hz) in the motor cortex.
- To model the motor cortex as coupled neural oscillators and explore how connection topology influences state transitions.
Main Methods:
- Modeled the motor cortex as a sheet of spatially coupled neural oscillators with a center-surround connection topology.
- Simulated transitions between synchronous oscillation patterns and traveling waves by manipulating the inhibitory surround.
- Analyzed the modulation of simulated local field potentials and identified bistable coupling topologies.
Main Results:
- Manipulating the inhibitory surround reliably evoked transitions between synchronous beta oscillation patterns and traveling waves.
- Simulated transitions matched physiological observations of local field potentials in humans.
- Intermediate surround inhibition created bistable states supporting both waves and synchrony, enabling rapid but less reliable state transitions.
Conclusions:
- Motor cortex may utilize state-dependent computation to facilitate rapid transitions between bistable motor states.
- This mechanism supports quick motor adjustments when speed is prioritized over accuracy.
- Findings provide insights into the neural basis of flexible and adaptive motor control.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Somatosensory, 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...
01:14Motor 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.
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.
01:23Propagation of Action Potentials
The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.