Role of motor cortex in goal-directed forelimb movement

Abstract

The generation of voluntary movements can be described as a sequence of neuronal processes, including decision making, motor planning and execution. How the motor cortex contributes to movement production is still debated. This thesis focuses on the role of two murine motor cortical subregions in forelimb movements: the caudal forelimb area (CFA) and rostral forelimb area (RFA). To causally link neuronal activity to behavior, we transiently silenced these regions while mice were performing a delayed two-choice joystick task. Both subregions were essential for choosing and executing movements, yet, choice and execution were sequentially processed. Interestingly, CFA showed a prevalent role in dexterous movements. Surprisingly, during the delay period only combined inactivation of CFA and RFA affected choice. Our findings suggest a sequential and partially distributed neural processing of choice and execution across different subregions of the motor cortex