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Cortico-cortical drive in a coupled premotor-primary motor cortex dynamical system
Raina D'Aleo1, Adam G Rouse2, Marc H Schieber3
1Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Institute for Computational Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Cell Reports
|December 21, 2022
Summary
The premotor cortex (PM) and primary motor cortex (M1) interact dynamically during natural movements. Contrary to traditional views, M1 can also drive PM activity, revealing complex sensorimotor control mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- The conventional model posits premotor cortex (PM) plans actions executed by primary motor cortex (M1).
- This view is partly based on studies with preparatory periods where PM activates without M1.
- Natural movements often show co-activation, obscuring distinct PM and M1 roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dynamic interactions between PM and M1 during natural movements without preparatory periods.
- To challenge the conventional understanding of sensorimotor control hierarchy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized coupled dynamical systems models (cDSMs).
- Analyzed neural and behavioral data from non-human primates performing a reach-grasp-manipulate task.
Main Results:
- PM and M1 exhibit dynamic interactions throughout movement execution.
- Demonstrated bidirectional influence: PM drives M1 in some contexts, while M1 drives PM in others.
- Findings contradict the traditional assumption of a unidirectional PM-to-M1 flow.
Conclusions:
- Sensorimotor control involves complex, context-dependent interactions between PM and M1.
- The cDSM framework offers a novel approach to differentiate neural roles in movement control.
- Revises the understanding of premotor and motor cortex functional specialization.
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