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Altered tuning in primary motor cortex does not account for behavioral adaptation during force field learning
Matthew G Perich1, Lee E Miller2,3,4
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
Experimental Brain Research
|June 8, 2017
Summary
Primary motor cortex (M1) neural activity dynamics remain stable during motor learning. Behavioral adaptation occurs via altered M1 neuron recruitment, not changes in their movement representation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Motor Learning
Background:
- The primary motor cortex (M1) is crucial for limb movement dynamics.
- Motor learning involves adapting internal models, but M1's specific role is debated.
- Previous studies on M1 neuron tuning during learning yielded conflicting results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of M1 in motor learning by examining neural activity during adaptation.
- To resolve discrepancies in previous findings regarding M1 neuron spatial tuning changes.
Main Methods:
- Recorded neural activity from M1 in monkeys performing a reaching task with a curl field.
- Utilized a musculoskeletal model to simulate neural activity with fixed dynamical relationships.
Main Results:
- The relationship between M1 activity and movement dynamics remained constant during behavioral adaptation.
- Simulated neurons with fixed dynamics replicated the observed M1 neural activity patterns.
- Behavioral changes were associated with altered recruitment of M1 neurons, not altered output effects.
Conclusions:
- M1 maintains a stable representation of movement dynamics throughout motor learning.
- Motor adaptation is achieved by modifying how M1 neurons are recruited, not by altering their fundamental representation of dynamics.
