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Cortico-spinal modularity in the parieto-frontal system: A new perspective on action control
R J Bufacchi1, A Battaglia-Mayer2, G D Iannetti3
1Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy; International Center for Primate Brain Research (ICPBR), Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.
Progress in Neurobiology
|October 13, 2023
Summary
The motor cortex is not solely responsible for action control. Instead, multiple parieto-frontal modules bypass the motor cortex, offering a faster, more efficient system for diverse motor functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control Research
Background:
- Classical neurophysiology posits a unique role for the motor cortex (MI) in action control.
- This review challenges this view by presenting evidence for alternative control pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a modular perspective on action control, highlighting multiple parieto-frontal spinal command modules.
- To demonstrate how these modules can bypass the primary motor cortex (MI).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cortical connectivity statistics to identify functional modules.
- Examination of distinct corticospinal pathways and their conduction velocities.
- Review of lesion studies comparing MI and parieto-frontal module effects.
Main Results:
- Identified five key observations supporting a modular control system.
- Described six distinct cortico-spinal modules and their associated functions (e.g., arm reaching, navigation, grasping, action initiation, learning, defense).
- Proposed that MI may act as a hub for recombining these modules for novel tasks.
Conclusions:
- The brain utilizes multiple, parallel parieto-frontal modules for motor control, offering efficiency and speed.
- These modules possess locally stored information and direct motor outputs, challenging the traditional MI-centric model.
- A modular architecture provides a flexible library of motor control tools for adapting to new situations.
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