Neural population dynamics during reaching

摘要: Most theories of motor cortex have assumed that neural activity represents movement parameters. This view derives from what is known about primary visual cortex, where patterns light. Yet it unclear how well the analogy between and holds. Single-neuron responses in are complex, there marked disagreement regarding which parameters represented. A better might be with other systems, a common principle rhythmic activity. Here we find during reaching contain brief but strong oscillatory component, something quite unexpected for non-periodic behaviour. Oscillation amplitude phase followed naturally preparatory state, suggesting mechanistic role These results demonstrate an yet surprisingly simple structure population response. underlying explains many confusing features individual responses.