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Indirect Motor Pathways

Indirect Motor Pathways

The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
The vestibulospinal tract originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem. The vestibular system detects changes in...

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Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

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Published on: June 22, 2015

Preceding Postural Control in Forelimb Reaching Movements in Cats.

Mirai Takahashi¹, Toshi Nakajima², Kaoru Takakusaki¹

¹Department of Physiology, Division of Neuroscience, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.

Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience

|February 4, 2022

Summary

Preceding postural control (PPC) uses predictive brain function to ensure body equilibrium during goal-directed movements. Optimal PPC, informed by visuospatial information, minimizes movement time and enhances stability.

Keywords:

anticipatory postural adjustments forelimb reaching higher order brain function optimization postural control

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Last Updated: Oct 4, 2025

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Published on: September 16, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomechanics
Motor Control

Background:

Postural control is crucial for maintaining body equilibrium during goal-directed movements.
Effective postural control requires predictive brain function to anticipate body-environment interactions.
Preceding postural control (PPC) aims to establish a stable posture before initiating an action.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the extent to which PPC predictively ensures postural stability for goal-directed movements.
To analyze the relationship between PPC, center of pressure (CVP) shifts, and movement efficiency.
To explore the role of visuospatial information in the motor programming of PPC.

Main Methods:

Three cats were trained to stand on force transducers and reach for targets with a forelimb.
Center of pressure (CVP) positions were measured during postural alteration, paw lifting, and target reaching.
Nine different target locations varying in direction and distance were used.

Main Results:

PPC involved a predictive CVP shift to the side opposite the lifting forelimb (20-35 mm).
Optimal target locations resulted in >80% match between predicted and final CVP positions, with shortest movement times.
Distant targets required greater CVP shifts and longer movement times, with reaching time negatively correlated to PPC CVP shift speed.

Conclusions:

PPC ensures postural stability throughout goal-directed movements, optimizing subsequent actions.
Visuospatial information, including body-environment interactions, contributes to PPC motor programming.
Impaired PPC can lead to disturbed postural stability and potential falls during movement.