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Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...

Hierarchy of Motor Control

Hierarchy of Motor Control

The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.

Direct Motor Pathways

Direct Motor Pathways

The direct motor pathways, also known as the pyramidal tracts, are a group of neural pathways that originate in the brain and descend through the spinal cord. They control the voluntary movement of the body. There are two major direct motor pathways: the corticospinal and the corticobulbar tracts.
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and...

Lobes of the Cerebrum

Lobes of the Cerebrum

The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings

Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings

Published on: August 1, 2018

An abstract categorical decision code in dorsal premotor cortex.

Gabriel Diaz-deLeon^1,2, Manuel Alvarez², Lucas Bayones²

¹Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|December 5, 2022

Summary

The dorsal premotor cortex (DPC) is involved in decision-making, not just motor control. Neuronal activity in DPC shows strong categorical and temporal coding, suggesting a key role in cognitive decision processes.

Keywords:

categorical decision continuum responses dorsal premotor cortex inter-trial coding temporal signals

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Last Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings

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Published on: August 1, 2018

Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis

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Published on: November 9, 2011

Automated Visual Cognitive Tasks for Recording Neural Activity Using a Floor Projection Maze

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Published on: February 20, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Primate Research

Background:

The dorsal premotor cortex (DPC) is traditionally linked to motor preparation and execution.
Emerging evidence suggests a broader role for the DPC in cognitive functions beyond motor control.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of the dorsal premotor cortex (DPC) in decision-making processes.
To analyze neuronal activity in the DPC during a complex sensory categorization task.

Main Methods:

Recorded neuronal activity from the DPC in two monkeys performing a vibrotactile categorization task.
Stimuli varied in frequency and amplitude across overlapping ranges.
Utilized dimensionality reduction techniques to analyze population neuronal activity.

Main Results:

DPC neurons exhibited heterogeneous responses, with a majority coding for categorical decisions rather than physical stimulus parameters.
Strong temporal and categorical representations were found, persisting across task periods and even during intertrial intervals.
Dimensionality reduction revealed distinct temporal and categorical dynamics, independent of stimulus features.

Conclusions:

The dorsal premotor cortex (DPC) plays a significant role in decision-making, extending beyond its classical motor functions.
Neuronal activity in the DPC reflects abstract decision variables, supporting its involvement in cognitive choice.
The findings challenge traditional views and highlight the DPC's contribution to complex cognitive computations.