Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 232, Issue 1, 28 January 1982, Pages 151-156
Brain Research

A second forelimb motor area exists in rat frontal cortex

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(82)90617-5Get rights and content

Abstract

Intracortical microstimulation of 40–50 points in the frontal cortex of ketamine-anesthetized rats using perpendicular penetrations has demonstrated a second forelimb area located rostrally near the frontal pole as well as confirming the existence of a more caudally located forelimb area just anterior to bregma. Cortex where neck and/or vibrissae movements were evoked separated the two forelimb areas. The rostral and caudal forelimb areas defined by microstimulation correspond with patches of corticospinal neurons labeled with HRP following injections of this tracer into the cervical enlargement. Digit movements were commonly evoked from the rostral forelimb area but were rarely elicited from the caudal forelimb area. The question of whether the rostral forelimb region is part of primary or supplementary motor cortex is not yet able to be answered.

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Supported by NIH research Grant NS-16146 and BRSG Grant RR-05368 from Loyola University.

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We thank Dr. Tony Castro for his helpful comments while writing the manuscript.

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