Neuronal correlates of kinematics-to-dynamics transformation in the supplementary motor area

Camillo Padoa-Schioppa, Chiang Shan Ray Li, Emilio Bizzi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that movements are planned at the level of the kinematics. However, the central nervous system must ultimately transform kinematic plans into dynamics-related commands. How, when, and where the kinematics-to-dynamics (KD) transformation is processed represent fundamental and unanswered questions. We recorded from the supplementary motor area (SMA) of two monkeys as they executed visually instructed reaching movements. We specifically analyzed a delay period following the instruction but prior to the go signal (motor planning). During the delay, a group of neurons in the SMA progressively came to reflect the dynamics rather than the desired kinematics of the upcoming movement. This finding suggests that some neurons in the SMA participate in the KD transformation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)751-765
Number of pages15
JournalNeuron
Volume36
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 14 2002

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