Cited by 156Motor Control and AdaptationMemory and Neural MechanismsNeuroscience and Music Perception

Skill representation in the primary motor cortex after long-term practice

Matsuzaka, Yoshiya, Picard, Nathalie, Strick, Peter L.·2007·Journal of Neurophysiology

Abstract

The acquisition of motor skills can lead to profound changes in the functional organization of the primary motor cortex (M1). For example, performance of movement sequences after prolonged practice is associated with an expansion of the effector representation in M1. Paradoxically, there is little evidence that the activity of M1 neurons reflects acquired skills, especially sequences of movements. We examined the activity of M1 neurons during skilled movement sequences in macaques trained to successively hit targets on a monitor. The targets appeared either pseudorandomly (Random mode) or in one of two repeating sequences (Repeating mode). With practice, response times for repeating sequences substantially declined and the monkeys performed the task predictively. Highly trained animals retained the acquired skill after long gaps in practice. After >2 yr of training, 40% of M1 neurons were differentially active during the two task modes. Variations in movement kinematics did not fully explain the task-dependent modulation of neuron activity. Differentially active neurons were more strongly influenced by task mode than by kinematics. Our results suggest that practice sculpts the response properties of M1 neurons. M1 may be a site of storage for the internal representation of skilled sequential movements.

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Crossref · 10.1152/jn.00784.2006

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  • Extended training induces learning-related changes in task-related activity of neurons in primary motor cortex.

    “For instance, extended training of a motor skill leads to increased rather than decreased task-related activation of the sensorimotor cortex [56–58, 64–65], and extended training (e.g., for two years) induces learning-related changes in task-related activity of neurons in primary motor cortex [4].”

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Authors
Matsuzaka, Y., Picard, N., & Strick, P. L.
Affiliations
University of Pittsburgh (US)
Venue
Journal of Neurophysiology
Published
2007-02
Volume
97
Issue
2
Pages
1819-1832
ISSN
  • 0022-3077 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1598
OpenAlex
W1977339836
Cited by
156
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 8
FWCI
3.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Neurophysiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01 NS24328, P01NS044393, R01NS024328)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Music Perception
Keywords
primary motor cortex, motor skill learning, motor sequence learning, neuronal activity, movement kinematics, task-dependent modulation, motor memory, macaque
MeSH terms
Animals, Attention, Biomechanical Phenomena, Electromyography, Eye Movements, Learning, Macaca mulatta, Memory, Motor Cortex, Motor Skills, Photic Stimulation, Practice, Psychological, Psychomotor Performance, Serial Learning

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