CEREBRAL CORTICAL CONTROL OF MOVEMENT

这项拟议研究的最终目的是增加我们对 运动皮层是如何控制运动的 更好地治疗人类运动功能障碍。具体目标 在未来几年中，我们将探索潜在的神经机制， 高等哺乳动物的运动学习 在过去的资助期间，我们发现强直刺激 感觉皮层的长时程增强（LTP） 猫的运动皮层的电位， 皮质-皮质（CC）输入参与运动学习和记忆。 在今后几年中，将进行以下实验。的 这些实验的目的是检验1）是否所有的CC输入到和 产生LTP的机制是通过在皮质内 微刺激运动皮质或其他皮质投射到 运动皮层，2）这种输入是否真的参与了运动学习 通过训练猴子掌握新的运动技能， 投射区到运动皮层。然后我们将检查3）是否所有CC 大脑皮层的输入可以产生LTP和4）锥体细胞是否 道也产生LTP。此外，我们将研究5）LTP是否是 只有感觉皮层的重复活动导致的可塑性变化。 最后一个实验将通过提供重复的突发来完成 刺激感觉皮层， 在运动皮层的CC纤维的末端分支的突触。的 研究结果有望为运动学习的研究开辟一个新的领域， 包括灵长类在内的高等哺乳动物的记忆。

The ultimate purpose of the proposed study is to increase our understanding of how the motor cortex controls movement and subsequently to contribute toward the better treatment of human motor dysfunctions. The specific aims during the coming years are to explore the neuronal mechanisms underlying the motor learning in higher mammals. During the past grant period, we have discovered that tetanic stimulation of the sensory cortex produces long term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic potentials in the motor cortex in cats raising the possibility that this cortico-cortical (CC) input participates in motor learning and memory. During the coming years, following experiments will be carried out. The purpose of these experiments are to-examine 1) whether all CC input to and from the motor cortex produces LTP by delivering tetanic intracortical microstimulations to the motor cortex or other cortices projecting to the motor cortex, 2) whether this input actually participates in motor learning by training the monkey for a new motor skill with and without the projection area to the motor cortex. Then we will examine 3) whether all CC input in the cerebral cortex can produce LTP and 4) whether the pyramidal tract also produces LTP. Besides, we will examine 5) whether LTP is the only plastic change resulting from repeated activity of the sensory cortex. The last experiment will be done by delivering repetitive burst stimulations to the sensory cortex chronically and then counting the number of synapses at the terminal branches of CC fibers in the motor cortex. The results will hopefully open a new field for the study of motor learning and memory in higher mammals including the primate.