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Distinct neural representations during a brain-machine interface and manual reaching task in motor cortex, prefrontal
Ellen L Zippi1, Gabrielle F Shvartsman2, Nuria Vendrell-Llopis1,2
1Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Scientific Reports
|October 19, 2023
Summary
Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) involve distributed brain networks, not just local neurons. This study highlights the prefrontal cortex
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroengineering
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) traditionally focus on local neural activity.
- The role of distributed cortical and subcortical networks, particularly the prefrontal cortex, in BMI control is understudied.
- Previous research in rodents suggests striatal involvement in BMI learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural representations and network dynamics in the prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, and striatum during BMI and manual control.
- To compare the neural activity patterns associated with self-initiated motor tasks performed under BMI versus manual control.
- To elucidate the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and caudate nucleus (Cd) in motor BMI control.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous local field potential recordings from primary motor cortex (M1), DLPFC, and Cd in nonhuman primates.
- Analysis of neural activity during a two-dimensional, self-initiated, center-out task under both BMI and manual control.
- Investigation of effective connectivity between brain regions using Granger causality or similar methods.
Main Results:
- Distinct neural representations for BMI and manual control were observed in M1, DLPFC, and Cd.
- DLPFC activity best distinguished control types at the go cue, while M1 was more discriminative at target acquisition.
- M1 activity was the strongest predictor of target direction in both control conditions.
- Effective connectivity was found from DLPFC to M1 during both control types, and from Cd to M1 during BMI control.
Conclusions:
- Motor BMI control involves distributed network activity across M1, DLPFC, and Cd.
- The prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and striatum (Cd) play significant roles in motor BMI control, interacting with the primary motor cortex (M1).
- Neural dynamics during BMI control are similar yet distinct from those during manual control, suggesting unique network configurations for each.
