Reaching movements require the integration of both somatic and visual information. These signals can have different relevance, depending on whether reaches are performed toward visual or memorized targets. We tested the hypothesis that under such conditions, therefore depending on target visibility, posterior parietal neurons integrate differently somatic and visual signals. Monkeys were trained to execute both types of reaches from different hand resting positions and in total darkness. Neural activity was recorded in Area 5 (PE) and analyzed by focusing on the preparatory epoch, that is, before movement initiation. Many neurons were influenced by the initial hand position, and most of them were further modulated by the target visibility. For the same starting position, we found a prevalence of neurons with activity that differed depending on whether hand movement was performed toward emorized or visual targets. This result suggests that posterior parietal cortex integrates available signals in a flexible way based on contextual demands.

Reaching-related neurons in superior parietal area 5: influence of the target visibility / Brunamonti, Emiliano; Genovesio, Aldo; Pani, Pierpaolo; Caminiti, Roberto; Ferraina, Stefano. - In: JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE. - ISSN 0898-929X. - 28:11(2016), pp. 1828-1837. [10.1162/jocn_a_01004]

Reaching-related neurons in superior parietal area 5: influence of the target visibility

BRUNAMONTI, EMILIANO;GENOVESIO, Aldo;PANI, Pierpaolo;CAMINITI, Roberto;FERRAINA, Stefano
2016

Abstract

Reaching movements require the integration of both somatic and visual information. These signals can have different relevance, depending on whether reaches are performed toward visual or memorized targets. We tested the hypothesis that under such conditions, therefore depending on target visibility, posterior parietal neurons integrate differently somatic and visual signals. Monkeys were trained to execute both types of reaches from different hand resting positions and in total darkness. Neural activity was recorded in Area 5 (PE) and analyzed by focusing on the preparatory epoch, that is, before movement initiation. Many neurons were influenced by the initial hand position, and most of them were further modulated by the target visibility. For the same starting position, we found a prevalence of neurons with activity that differed depending on whether hand movement was performed toward emorized or visual targets. This result suggests that posterior parietal cortex integrates available signals in a flexible way based on contextual demands.
2016
parietal cortex; reaching movements; monkey neurophysiology
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Reaching-related neurons in superior parietal area 5: influence of the target visibility / Brunamonti, Emiliano; Genovesio, Aldo; Pani, Pierpaolo; Caminiti, Roberto; Ferraina, Stefano. - In: JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE. - ISSN 0898-929X. - 28:11(2016), pp. 1828-1837. [10.1162/jocn_a_01004]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/909501
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