Encoding of limb state by single neurons in the cuneate nucleus of awake monkeys
Christopher Versteeg, Joshua M. Rosenow, Sliman J. Bensmaı̈a, Lee E. Miller
Abstract
The cuneate nucleus (CN) is the somatosensory gateway into the brain, and only recently has it been possible to record these signals from an awake animal. We recorded single CN neurons in monkeys. Proprioceptive CN neurons appear to receive input from very few muscles, and their sensitivity to movement changes reliably during reaching relative to passive arm perturbations. Sensitivity is generally increased, but not exclusively so, as though CN "spotlights" critical proprioceptive information during reaching.
Topics & Concepts
ProprioceptionCuneate nucleusNeuroscienceSomatosensory systemSensory systemHindlimbElectrophysiologyAnatomyPsychologyBiologyMuscle activation and electromyography studiesMotor Control and AdaptationEEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces