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
Affiliations
Gregory D. Disse
Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Bharadwaj Nandakumar
Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Francois P. Pauzin
Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Gary H. Blumenthal
School of Biomedical Engineering Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Zhaodan Kong
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Jochen Ditterich
Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Karen A. Moxon
Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Corresponding author
Summary: 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.
