Neural ensemble dynamics in trunk and hindlimb sensorimotor cortex encode for the control of postural stability

Gregory D Disse; Bharadwaj Nandakumar; Francois P Pauzin; Gary H Blumenthal; Zhaodan Kong; Jochen Ditterich; Karen A Moxon

doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112347

Neural ensemble dynamics in trunk and hindlimb sensorimotor cortex encode for the control of postural stability

Cell Rep. 2023 Apr 25;42(4):112347. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112347. Epub 2023 Apr 5.

Authors

Gregory D Disse¹, Bharadwaj Nandakumar², Francois P Pauzin², Gary H Blumenthal³, Zhaodan Kong⁴, Jochen Ditterich⁵, Karen A Moxon⁶

Affiliations

¹ Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
² Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
³ School of Biomedical Engineering Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
⁴ Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
⁵ Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
⁶ Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: moxon@ucdavis.edu.

PMID: 37027302
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112347

Abstract

The cortex has a disputed role in monitoring postural equilibrium and intervening in cases of major postural disturbances. Here, we investigate the patterns of neural activity in the cortex that underlie neural dynamics during unexpected perturbations. In both the primary sensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortices of the rat, unique neuronal classes differentially covary their responses to distinguish different characteristics of applied postural perturbations; however, there is substantial information gain in M1, demonstrating a role for higher-order computations in motor control. A dynamical systems model of M1 activity and forces generated by the limbs reveals that these neuronal classes contribute to a low-dimensional manifold comprised of separate subspaces enabled by congruent and incongruent neural firing patterns that define different computations depending on the postural responses. These results inform how the cortex engages in postural control, directing work aiming to understand postural instability after neurological disease.

Keywords: CP: Neuroscience; cortex; neural dynamics; neural trajectories; posture; rat.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Hindlimb
Neurons
Postural Balance / physiology
Posture* / physiology
Rats
Sensorimotor Cortex*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding