Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

[Cortical Areas for Controlling Voluntary Movements].

Yoshihisa Nakayama1, Eiji Hoshi

  • 1Frontal Lobe Function Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science.

Brain and Nerve = Shinkei Kenkyu No Shinpo
|April 21, 2017
PubMed
Summary

The primary motor cortex (Brodmann area 4) and higher-order motor areas (Brodmann area 6) in the frontal lobe are crucial for transforming movement intentions into actions. These central motor areas control voluntary movements through signals to the brain stem and spinal cord.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Premovement neuronal activity in the primary motor cortex is associated with the initiation of ipsilateral hand movements in monkeys.

Neuroscience research·2025
Same author

Premovement activity in the mesocortical system links peak force but not initiation of force generation under incentive motivation.

Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)·2023
Same author

The dorsal premotor cortex encodes the step-by-step planning processes for goal-directed motor behavior in humans.

NeuroImage·2022
Same author

Cerebellar outputs contribute to spontaneous and movement-related activity in the motor cortex of monkeys.

Neuroscience research·2020
Same author

Layer specificity of inputs from supplementary motor area and dorsal premotor cortex to primary motor cortex in macaque monkeys.

Scientific reports·2019
Same author

Roles of Multiple Globus Pallidus Territories of Monkeys and Humans in Motivation, Cognition and Action: An Anatomical, Physiological and Pathophysiological Review.

Frontiers in neuroanatomy·2017

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Cerebral Cortex Function

Background:

  • The primary motor cortex (Brodmann area 4) is situated at the posterior frontal lobe and serves as the main output pathway for motor commands.
  • Adjacent to Brodmann area 4 is Brodmann area 6, which houses higher-order motor areas like the premotor area and supplementary motor area.
  • These higher-order areas are involved in action planning and execution based on sensory or internalized signals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct roles of Brodmann areas 4 and 6 in motor control.
  • To highlight the functional contributions of the premotor and supplementary motor areas within Brodmann area 6.
  • To emphasize the integration of motor planning and execution within the central motor areas of the cerebral cortex.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • This study is based on a review of existing neuroscientific literature and established knowledge of brain anatomy and function.
  • Analysis of the anatomical locations and known functional specializations of Brodmann areas 4 and 6.
  • Synthesizing information on the specific roles of the premotor and supplementary motor areas in motor behavior.

Main Results:

  • Brodmann area 4 acts as the primary output stage, transmitting motor commands to the brain stem and spinal cord.
  • The premotor area (lateral Brodmann area 6) plans and executes actions guided by sensory information, crucial for goal-directed movements like reaching and grasping.
  • The supplementary motor area (mesial Brodmann area 6) is involved in planning actions based on internal cues, essential for bimanual coordination, movement sequencing, and behavioral control.

Conclusions:

  • Brodmann areas 4 and 6 are central to motor control within the cerebral cortex.
  • These areas collaboratively transform the conceptualization of an action into a physical movement.
  • The distinct yet integrated functions of the primary motor cortex, premotor area, and supplementary motor area enable a wide range of voluntary behaviors.