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Related Experiment Videos

Motor cortex - to act or not to act?

Christian Laut Ebbesen1, Michael Brecht2

  • 1Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany.

Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|October 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Motor cortex neurons are crucial for volitional control, enabling both the initiation of intended movements and the suppression of unwanted actions. This highlights their dual role in motor output regulation.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Cerebral Cortex

Background:

  • The motor cortex, a key frontal lobe structure in mammals, is implicated in volitional motor control.
  • Historical understanding focused on 'motor maps' derived from stimulation-evoked movements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms by which the motor cortex exerts volitional control over motor output.
  • To emphasize the role of motor cortex neurons in both initiating and suppressing movements.

Main Methods:

  • Review of classic and recent findings on motor cortex function.
  • Analysis of evidence related to neuronal activity during volitional movement.

Main Results:

  • Motor cortex neurons are involved in initiating voluntary movements.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Motor cortex neurons also play a role in suppressing unwanted movements.

    • Conclusions:

    • Motor cortex neurons possess a dual function in volitional motor control.
    • Understanding this dual role is essential for comprehending motor output regulation.