Strategy-Dependent Encoding of Planned Arm Movements in the Dorsal Premotor Cortex

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 337; no. 6097; pp. 984 - 988
• Main Authors: Pearce, Thomas M., Moran, Daniel W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Association for the Advancement of Science 24.08.2012; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Animals; Arm; Arm - innervation; Arm - physiology; Arms; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Brain; Brain Mapping; Computer Simulation; cortex; Cortexes; Cosine function; Cues; Decryption; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hand - innervation; Hand - physiology; Macaca; Macaca mulatta; Mathematical analysis; Mental Processes; Monkeys; Monkeys & apes; Motor ability; Motor Activity; Motor cortex; Motor Cortex - physiology; Movement; Movements; Neurobiology; Neurons; Neurons - physiology; Neuroscience; Obstacles; planning; Population planning; Position (location); Psychomotor Performance; Recording; Spatial Ability; Trajectories; Vectors (mathematics); Velocity; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Human; Motor pathway; Central nervous system; Monkey; Encephalon; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Neuron; Primates; Premotor cortex; Behavior; Planning; Motor preparation
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1220642

The kinematic strategy encoded in motor cortical areas for classic straight-line reaching is remarkably simple and consistent across subjects, despite the complicated musculoskeletal dynamics that are involved. As tasks become more challenging, however, different conscious strategies may be used to improve perceived behavioral performance. We identified additional spatial information that appeared both in single neurons and in the population code of monkey dorsal premotor cortex when obstacles impeded direct reach paths. The neural correlate of movement planning varied between subjects in a manner consistent with the use of different strategies to optimize task completion. These distinct planning strategies were manifested in the timing and strength of the information contained in the neural population code.