Lecture 3 - Neurological and Models

What is a motor program?

A coordinated activation of muscles, prepared by specific brain areas, and carried out via recruitment of muscles through nerves

How are motor and sensory brain areas organized?

They are mapped to specific parts of the body, allowing precise control and feedback

What role do the basal ganglia play in motor activity?

BG regulates movement with inhibitory control, producing more controlled (rather than automatic) actions

What is the role of the cerebellum in movement?

It monitors and coordinates complex actions, ensuring smooth and precise execution

What parts of brain does basal ganglia loop and cerebellar loop connect to?

BG loop: motor areas → BG → thalamus

cerebellar loop: motor areas → cerebellum → thalamus

What role does proprioception and sensory information play in movement?

They are used to correct and adapt movements, allowing the body to learn and improve motor performance

What is the flow chart of elements for motor program?

planning cortex → recruits motor neurons and sensory areas (proprioception)

integration of motor plan

motor areas → muscles and regulatory (BG and cerebellum)

regulatory → sends back messages to motor areas of adjust movements

What is the predictive control model of motor adaptation?

It is the most accepted model, where the brain predicts and adjusts movements using internal models, feedforward, and feedback systems

What is feedforward control in movement?

A system that adjusts the intended motor plan before execution, incorporating context such as past movements

What is feedback control in movement?

A system that evaluates the result of a movement after execution, comparing it with the plan and signalling adjustments for future learning

What is an error signal in predictive control?

It is the difference between the intended action (from the forward/internal model) and the actual outcome

• This signal feeds back to update the internal model, driving learning and adaptation

Describe phonetic example of predictive control model (pronouncing son vs. sin)

internal model = /s/

adjusted model = rounded lips for son since /o/ follows

• due to phonological context