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In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior
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In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

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Cortex commands the performance of skilled movement

Jian-Zhong Guo1, Austin R Graves1, Wendy W Guo1

  • 1Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, United States.

Elife
|December 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The mammalian cerebral cortex is crucial for voluntary motor control. Optogenetic inhibition revealed its necessity for skilled prehension, with a rebound effect observed post-inhibition in trained, food-deprived mice.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

  • The mammalian cerebral cortex's role in voluntary motor control is established, yet specific functions remain elusive.
  • Understanding cortical contributions is vital for deciphering complex motor behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the necessity and sufficiency of cortical activity for skilled prehension.
  • To elucidate the role of the cerebral cortex in initiating and executing learned motor tasks.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized optogenetic inhibition for rapid, reversible manipulation of cortical activity in mice.
  • Assessed performance in a head-fixed task involving reaching, grabbing, and eating a food pellet.

Main Results:

  • Sudden cortical inhibition disrupted the initiation and execution of skilled prehension but spared untrained forelimb movements.
  • Normal prehension occurred immediately after inhibition cessation, even without external cues.
  • This 'rebound' prehension was observed only in trained, food-deprived animals, suggesting a motivation-gated motor engram.

Conclusions:

  • Cortical activity is both necessary and sufficient for the execution of learned prehension skills.
  • A motivation-gated motor engram can be activated upon the cessation of cortical inhibition.
  • These findings highlight the dynamic role of the cortex in learned motor behavior.
Keywords:
cortexmotor controlmouseneuroscienceoptogenetics

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