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Motor cortical muscimol injection disrupts forelimb movement in freely moving monkeys
1Department of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Kyoto University, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract:
To investigate how GABAA inhibition in the motor cortex is involved in motor control in freely moving infant macaque monkeys, muscimol, a GABAA agonist, was injected into the hand motor area and changes in movement parameters of visual reaching during apple pickup tests or a delayed response task were examined. After the injection (30 micrograms microliters-1) the monkeys tended to use the contralateral hand, and the ipsilateral hand showed a posture of dropped wrist and fingers, as if the radial nerve were paralysed. Movement time and/or reaction time of the ipsilateral hand was prolonged. Motorcortical GABAA inhibition is important for initiation of smooth flexion and/or extension movement of the hand and fingers.
Insights
Motor cortex GABA-A inhibition is crucial for infant monkeys
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control Research
Background:
- GABAA inhibition plays a role in motor cortex function.
- Understanding this role is key to comprehending motor control mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of GABAA inhibition in the motor cortex during motor control in infant macaque monkeys.
- To examine the effects of inhibiting GABAA receptors on movement parameters.
Main Methods:
- Injections of muscimol (a GABAA agonist) into the hand motor area of infant macaque monkeys.
- Observation and analysis of visual reaching movements during apple pickup and delayed response tasks.
Main Results:
- Monkeys predominantly used the contralateral hand post-injection.
- The ipsilateral hand exhibited a dropped wrist and finger posture, mimicking radial nerve paralysis.
- Movement and reaction times for the ipsilateral hand significantly increased.
Conclusions:
- Motor cortical GABAA inhibition is essential for initiating smooth hand and finger flexion and extension movements.
- Disruption of GABAA inhibition leads to motor deficits resembling nerve paralysis.