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Cited by 22Motor Control and AdaptationNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAction Observation and Synchronization

Cortico-spinal modularity in the parieto-frontal system: A new perspective on action control

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Bufacchi, R.J., Battaglia-Mayer, A., Iannetti, G.D., Caminiti, R.·2023·Progress in Neurobiology
DOI 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102537
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Abstract

Classical neurophysiology suggests that the motor cortex (MI) has a unique role in action control. In contrast, this review presents evidence for multiple parieto-frontal spinal command modules that can bypass MI. Five observations support this modular perspective: (i) the statistics of cortical connectivity demonstrate functionally-related clusters of cortical areas, defining functional modules in the premotor, cingulate, and parietal cortices; (ii) different corticospinal pathways originate from the above areas, each with a distinct range of conduction velocities; (iii) the activation time of each module varies depending on task, and different modules can be activated simultaneously; (iv) a modular architecture with direct motor output is faster and less metabolically expensive than an architecture that relies on MI, given the slow connections between MI and other cortical areas; (v) lesions of the areas composing parieto-frontal modules have different effects from lesions of MI. Here we provide examples of six cortico-spinal modules and functions they subserve: module 1) arm reaching, tool use and object construction; module 2) spatial navigation and locomotion; module 3) grasping and observation of hand and mouth actions; module 4) action initiation, motor sequences, time encoding; module 5) conditional motor association and learning, action plan switching and action inhibition; module 6) planning defensive actions. These modules can serve as a library of tools to be recombined when faced with novel tasks, and MI might serve as a recombinatory hub. In conclusion, the availability of locally-stored information and multiple outflow paths supports the physiological plausibility of the proposed modular perspective.

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    (n.d.) · Chinese Medical Journal / Neuroscience News · doi:10.1097/cm9.0000000000004040

    “[31] Prior research has shown that its FC with the right cuneus increases during complex motor tasks such as motor imagery.”

Related

Authors
Bufacchi, R. J., Battaglia-Mayer, A., Iannetti, G. D., & Caminiti, R.
Affiliations
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
  • Italian Institute of Technology (IT)
Corresponding author
Caminiti, R.
ORCID
Venue
Progress in Neurobiology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-12
Volume
231
Pages
102537
ISSN
0301-0082 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102537
OpenAlex
W4387542305
Cited by
22
References
599
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5
FWCI
0.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Progress in Neurobiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Greater South Information System
Funders
  • Sapienza Università di Roma
  • Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
  • Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (201794KEER_002)
  • MIUR
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Keywords
motor cortex, action control, premotor cortex, cingulate cortex, parietal cortex, cortical connectivity, conduction velocity, response inhibition, tool use, spatial navigation, grasping, motor learning, lesion effects
MeSH terms
Cognition, Hand, Humans, Parietal Lobe

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