Motor Cortex in Voluntary Movements : A Distributed System for Distributed Functions

This book presents developments in motor cortex research that allow researchers to "read and interpret neural activity" and use the data to reconstruct movements. It focuses on how neuronal activity changes during learning, what the motor cortex encodes for, and the neuronal representations of voluntary movements and the mechanism of their generation during learning. Along with its detailed coverage of recent advanced approaches to motor cortex research, the book also includes early historical notes and brief descriptions of classical studies of neuronal activity in frontal sensorimotor fields.

As one of the first cortical areas to be explored experimentally, the motor cortex continues to be the focus of intense research. Motor Cortex in Voluntary Movements: A Distributed System for Distributed Functions presents developments in motor cortex research, making it possible to understand and interpret neural activity and use it to reconstruct movements.

Featuring viewpoints based on monkey and human studies, the book focuses on how neuronal activity changes during learning, discusses what the motor cortex encodes for, and covers the neuronal representations of voluntary movements and the mechanism of their generation during learning. Section 1 uses functional neuroanatomy and imaging studies to describe motor cortical function, and Section 2 provides an overview of studies about neural representations in the motor cortex. The third section concentrates on motor learning, and the final section highlights the reconstruction of movements using brain activity.

Revealing many exciting applications of this rapidly expanding science, this book enhances our understanding of the generation of motor commands. It is an essential resource for neuroscientists interested in motor function, rehabilitation medicine practitioners, and biomedical engineers.