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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings
Published on: August 1, 2018
Left dorsal premotor cortex and supramarginal gyrus complement each other during rapid action reprogramming
Gesa Hartwigsen1, Sven Bestmann, Nick S Ward
1Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24105 Kiel Germany.
Summary
The brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Motor Control
Background:
- Action reprogramming is vital for adapting to environmental changes.
- The roles of the left dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and supramarginal gyrus (SMG) in this process are not fully understood.
- Investigating the interplay between these regions is crucial for understanding executive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the function of the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG) in action reprogramming relies on the integrity of the left dorsal premotor cortex (PMd).
- To investigate the causal contributions of PMd and SMG to action reprogramming using dual-site repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
Main Methods:
- A dual-site rTMS protocol was employed, involving off-line disruption of PMd followed by on-line stimulation of SMG.
- Participants performed a spatially precued reaction time task requiring action reprogramming.
- Behavioral outcomes (errors and reaction times) were analyzed under different rTMS conditions.
Main Results:
- On-line rTMS of SMG increased errors during action reprogramming, indicating its role in suppressing incorrect actions.
- This effect was exacerbated when PMd was previously disrupted by off-line rTMS.
- On-line SMG rTMS also increased reaction times for correct responses following invalid cues, but only after PMd disruption.
Conclusions:
- Left PMd and SMG causally and jointly contribute to action reprogramming.
- The functional importance of these brain regions can be rapidly redistributed.
- This highlights a potential mechanism for functional compensation in neural networks facing focal dysfunction.
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