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Area-specific thalamocortical synchronization underlies the transition from motor planning to execution.

ABSTRACT: We studied correlated firing between motor thalamic and cortical cells in monkeys performing a delayed-response reaching task. Simultaneous recording of thalamocortical activity revealed that around movement onset, thalamic cells were positively correlated with cell activity in the primary motor cortex but negatively correlated with the activity of the premotor cortex. The differences in the correlation contrasted with the average neural responses, which were similar in all three areas. Neuronal correlations reveal functional cooperation and opposition between the motor thalamus and distinct motor cortical areas with specific roles in planning vs. performing movements. Thus, by enhancing and suppressing motor and premotor firing, the motor thalamus can facilitate the transition from a motor plan to execution.

SUBMITTER: Nashef A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8017695 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Area-specific thalamocortical synchronization underlies the transition from motor planning to execution.

Nashef Abdulraheem A Mitelman Rea R Harel Ran R Joshua Mati M Prut Yifat Y

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20210201 6

We studied correlated firing between motor thalamic and cortical cells in monkeys performing a delayed-response reaching task. Simultaneous recording of thalamocortical activity revealed that around movement onset, thalamic cells were positively correlated with cell activity in the primary motor cortex but negatively correlated with the activity of the premotor cortex. The differences in the correlation contrasted with the average neural responses, which were similar in all three areas. Neuronal ...[more]

PMID: 33526664

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Area-specific thalamocortical synchronization underlies the transition from motor planning to execution.

Publications

Area-specific thalamocortical synchronization underlies the transition from motor planning to execution.

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