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Neuronal Activity Distributed in Multiple Cortical Areas during Voluntary Control of the Native Arm or a
Zheng Liu1, Marc H Schieber2,3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627.
Eneuro
|October 16, 2020
Summary
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) involve widespread brain activity, not just the directly controlled neurons. Non-BCI units in various cortical areas show similar activity patterns during both BCI and natural movements, suggesting shared control mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Motor Control
Background:
- Voluntary movement control engages multiple cortical areas.
- Brain-computer interface (BCI) research often focuses narrowly on BCI unit activity.
- The broader cortical involvement in BCI control remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if BCI control, like natural movement, involves widespread cortical activity.
- To compare neuronal activity and connectivity in non-BCI units during joystick and BCI tasks.
- To explore the relationship between BCI performance and cortical network engagement.
Main Methods:
- Recorded neuronal activity from multiple cortical areas (M1, PMd, PMv, S1, dPPC, AIP) in macaques.
- Subjects performed center-out tasks using both a joystick and a BCI controlled by primary motor cortex (M1) units.
- Analyzed unit activity, preferred direction (PD), and effective connectivity between BCI and non-BCI units.
Main Results:
- Non-BCI units in most recorded areas showed similar activity percentages and modulation depths across joystick and BCI tasks.
- Both BCI and non-BCI units exhibited changes in preferred direction (PD) during control.
- Effective connectivity between BCI and non-BCI units was comparable for both tasks; improved BCI performance correlated with increased modulation and connectivity.
Conclusions:
- Voluntary BCI control engages multiple cortical areas, mirroring natural upper extremity movement control.
- Non-BCI units contribute to BCI operation, suggesting integrated neural processing.
- Cortical network dynamics during closed-loop BCI use may reflect adaptable, shared control mechanisms.
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