The Primary Motor Cortex: The Hub of Motor Learning in Rodents

The primary motor cortex, a dynamic center for overall motion control and decision making, undergoes significant alterations upon neural stimulation. Over the last few decades, data from numerous studies using rodent models have improved our understanding of the morphological and functional plasticity of the primary motor cortex. In particular, spatially specific formation of dendritic spines and their maintenance during distinct behaviors is considered crucial for motor learning. However, whether the modifications of specific synapses are associated with motor learning should be studied further. In this review, we summarized the findings of prior studies on the features and dynamics of the primary motor cortex in rodents.