scholarly journals Motor cortex can modulate somatosensory processing via cortico-thalamo-cortical pathway

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lohse ◽  
Matthew Cooper ◽  
Elie Sader ◽  
Antonia Langfelder ◽  
Martin Kahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Somatosensory Processing ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Motor Systems ◽  
Dynamic Modulation ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Sensorimotor Interactions ◽  
Somatosensory Pathway ◽  
Layer Vi

AbstractThe somatosensory and motor systems are intricately linked, providing several routes for the sensorimotor interactions necessary for haptic processing. Here, we used electrical and optogenetic stimulation to study the circuits that enable primary motor cortex (M1) to exert top-down modulation of whisker-evoked responses, at the levels of brain stem, thalamus and somatosensory cortex (S1). We find that activation of M1 drives somatosensory responsive cells at all levels, and that this excitation is followed by a period of tactile suppression, which gradually increases in strength along the ascending somatosensory pathway. Using optogenetic stimulation in the layer-specific Cre driver lines, we find that activation of layer VI cortico-thalamic neurons is sufficient to drive spiking in higher order thalamus, and that this is reliably followed by excitation of S1, suggesting a cross-modal cortico-thalamo-cortical pathway. Cortico-thalamic excitation predicts the degree of subsequent tactile suppression, consistent with a strong role for thalamic circuits in the expression of inhibitory sensorimotor interactions. These results provide evidence of a role for M1 in dynamic modulation of S1, largely under cortico-thalamic control.

scholarly journals Forelimb movements evoked by optogenetic stimulation of the macaque motor cortex

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidenori Watanabe ◽  
Hiromi Sano ◽  
Satomi Chiken ◽  
Kenta Kobayashi ◽  
Yuko Fukata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Single Pulse ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Indispensable Tool ◽  
Cag Promoter ◽  
Forelimb Movements

AbstractOptogenetics has become an indispensable tool for investigating brain functions. Although non-human primates are particularly useful models for understanding the functions and dysfunctions of the human brain, application of optogenetics to non-human primates is still limited. In the present study, we generated an effective adeno-associated viral vector serotype DJ to express channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) under the control of a strong ubiquitous CAG promoter and injected into the somatotopically identified forelimb region of the primary motor cortex in macaque monkeys. ChR2 was strongly expressed around the injection sites, and optogenetic intracortical microstimulation (oICMS) through a homemade optrode induced prominent cortical activity: Even single-pulse, short duration oICMS evoked long-lasting repetitive firings of cortical neurons. In addition, oICMS elicited distinct forelimb movements and muscle activity, which were comparable to those elicited by conventional electrical ICMS. The present study removed obstacles to optogenetic manipulation of neuronal activity and behaviors in non-human primates.

scholarly journals Spatially and Temporally Distinct Encoding of Muscle and Kinematic Information in Rostral and Caudal Primary Motor Cortex

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Kolasinski ◽  
Diana C Dima ◽  
David M A Mehler ◽  
Alice Stephenson ◽  
Sara Valadan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Human Motor Cortex ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings ◽  
Human Motor ◽  
Sensory Responses ◽  
Motor Representations ◽  
Kinematic Information

Abstract The organizing principle of human motor cortex does not follow an anatomical body map, but rather a distributed representational structure in which motor primitives are combined to produce motor outputs. Electrophysiological recordings in primates and human imaging data suggest that M1 encodes kinematic features of movements, such as joint position and velocity. However, M1 exhibits well-documented sensory responses to cutaneous and proprioceptive stimuli, raising questions regarding the origins of kinematic motor representations: are they relevant in top-down motor control, or are they an epiphenomenon of bottom-up sensory feedback during movement? Here we provide evidence for spatially and temporally distinct encoding of kinematic and muscle information in human M1 during the production of a wide variety of naturalistic hand movements. Using a powerful combination of high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography, a spatial and temporal multivariate representational similarity analysis revealed encoding of kinematic information in more caudal regions of M1, over 200 ms before movement onset. In contrast, patterns of muscle activity were encoded in more rostral motor regions much later after movements began. We provide compelling evidence that top-down control of dexterous movement engages kinematic representations in caudal regions of M1 prior to movement production.

scholarly journals Optogenetic stimulation of the motor cortex alleviates neuropathic pain in rats of infraorbital nerve injury with/without CGRP knock-down

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaisan Islam ◽  
Elina KC ◽  
Byeong Ho Oh ◽  
Soochong Kim ◽  
Sang-hwan Hyun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Ganglion ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Infraorbital Nerve ◽  
Motor Cortex Stimulation ◽  
Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported that electrical stimulation of the motor cortex is effective in reducing trigeminal neuropathic pain; however, the effects of optical motor cortex stimulation remain unclear. Objective The present study aimed to investigate whether optical stimulation of the primary motor cortex can modulate chronic neuropathic pain in rats with infraorbital nerve constriction injury. Methods Animals were randomly divided into a trigeminal neuralgia group, a sham group, and a control group. Trigeminal neuropathic pain was generated via constriction of the infraorbital nerve and animals were treated via selective inhibition of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the trigeminal ganglion. We assessed alterations in behavioral responses in the pre-stimulation, stimulation, and post-stimulation conditions. In vivo extracellular recordings were obtained from the ventral posteromedial nucleus of the thalamus, and viral and α-CGRP expression were investigated in the primary motor cortex and trigeminal ganglion, respectively. Results We found that optogenetic stimulation significantly improved pain behaviors in the trigeminal neuralgia animals and it provided more significant improvement with inhibited α-CGRP state than active α-CGRP state. Electrophysiological recordings revealed decreases in abnormal thalamic firing during the stimulation-on condition. Conclusion Our findings suggest that optical motor cortex stimulation can alleviate pain behaviors in a rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Transmission of trigeminal pain signals can be modulated via knock-down of α-CGRP and optical motor cortex stimulation.

scholarly journals Network-level effects of optogenetic stimulation in a computer model of macaque primary motor cortex

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliff C Kerr ◽  
Daniel J O'Shea ◽  
Werapong Goo ◽  
Salvador Dura-Bernal ◽  
Joseph T Francis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Computer Model ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation

scholarly journals Optogenetic Stimulation of The Motor Cortex Alleviates Neuropathic Pain in Rats of Infraorbital Nerve Injury With/Without CGRP Knock-Down

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaisan Islam ◽  
Elina KC ◽  
Byeong Ho Oh ◽  
Soochong Kim ◽  
Sang-hwan Hyun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Ganglion ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Infraorbital Nerve ◽  
Motor Cortex Stimulation ◽  
Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Background: Previous studies have reported that electrical stimulation of the motor cortex is effective in reducing trigeminal neuropathic pain; however, the effects of optical motor cortex stimulation remain unclear. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate whether optical stimulation of the primary motor cortex can modulate chronic neuropathic pain in rats with infraorbital nerve constriction injury.Methods: Animals were randomly divided into a trigeminal neuralgia group, a sham group, and a control group. Trigeminal neuropathic pain was generated via constriction of the infraorbital nerve and animals were treated via selective inhibition of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the trigeminal ganglion. We assessed alterations in behavioral responses in the pre-stimulation, stimulation, and post-stimulation conditions. In vivo extracellular recordings were obtained from the ventral posteromedial nucleus of the thalamus, and viral and α-CGRP expression were investigated in the primary motor cortex and trigeminal ganglion, respectively.Results: We found that optogenetic stimulation significantly improved pain behaviors in the trigeminal neuralgia animals and it provided more significant improvement with inhibited α-CGRP state than active α-CGRP state. Electrophysiological recordings revealed decreases in abnormal thalamic firing during the stimulation-on condition.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that optical motor cortex stimulation can alleviate pain behaviors in a rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Transmission of trigeminal pain signals can be modulated via knock-down of α-CGRP and optical motor cortex stimulation.

scholarly journals Profiling the transcallosal response of rat motor cortex evoked by contralateral optogenetic stimulation of glutamatergic cortical neurons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Stald Skoven ◽  
Leo Tomasevic ◽  
Duda Kvitsiani ◽  
Bente Pakkenberg ◽  
Tim B. Dyrby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Stimulation Intensity ◽  
Glutamatergic Neurons ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Transcallosal Response ◽  
Stimulation Of

Efficient interhemispheric integration of neural activity between left and right primary motor cortex (M1) is critical for inter-limb motor control. We employed optogenetic stimulation to establish a framework for probing transcallosal M1-M1 interactions in rats. In male rats, we optogenetically stimulated glutamatergic neurons in right M1 and recorded the transcallosally evoked potential with chronically implanted electrodes in contralateral left M1 during dexmedetomidine anesthesia. We systematically varied the stimulation intensity and duration to characterize the relationship between stimulation parameters in right M1 and the characteristics of the evoked intracortical potentials in left M1. Optogenetic stimulation of right M1 consistently evoked a transcallosal response in left M1 with a consistent negative peak (N1) that sometimes was preceded by a smaller positive peak (P1). Higher stimulation intensity or longer stimulation duration gradually increased N1 amplitude and reduced N1 variability across trials. Median N1 latencies remained stable, once stimulation elicited a reliable N1 peak and did not display a systematic shortening with increasing stimulation intensity or duration. Optogenetically stimulated glutamatergic neurons in M1 can reliably evoke a transcallosal response in anesthetized rats and can be used to characterize the relationship between "stimulation dose" and "response magnitude" (i.e., the gain function) of transcallosal M1-to-M1 glutamatergic connections. Detailed knowledge of the stimulus-response relationship is needed to optimize the efficacy of optogenetic stimulation. Since transcallosal M1-M1 interactions can also be probed non-invasively with transcranial magnetic stimulation in humans, our optogenetic stimulation approach bears translational potential for studying how unilateral M1 stimulation can induce interhemispheric plasticity.

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