Cerebellar thalamic activity in the macaque monkey encodes the duration but not the force or velocity of wrist movement

摘要: The way in which the cerebellum influences output of motor cortex is not known. aim this study was to establish whether information about force, velocity or duration movement encoded cerebellar thalamic discharge and could therefore be involved modulation cortical activity. Extracellular single cell recordings were made from thalamus (66 neurones) VPLc (49 four conscious macaques performing simple wrist movements with various load gain conditions imposed. A significant correlation (Spearman's; P < 0.05) found between neuronal most neurones (65%), rate some (23%), but force any neurones. Similar relationships activity these parameters. strength correlations increased when many cells grouped analysed as an ensemble, suggesting that populations (and VPLc) can encode a signal higher fidelity than alone. ensemble data confirmed robust association duration. We propose does provide specific velocity, rather its major role activating regions for duration, thus influencing timing complex involving muscles joints.