Brain and Behavior: McGuthry Lecture 10

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to movement control and mirror neurons from the lecture.

Central pattern generators

Generate rhythmic patterns of motor output.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Causes somatic (skeletal) muscles to contract.

Curare

Paralyzes; it is a high-affinity ACh antagonist.

Primary motor cortex

Controls output to the muscles.

Corticospinal tracts

Paths from the cortex to the spinal cord.

Primary Motor Cortex

Contralateral control of motor movement.

Posterior Parietal Cortex

Plans movement; and keeps track of body relative to world (space).

Primary Somatosensory

Integrates touch with movement.

Prefrontal Cortex

Responds to sensory input ("go"); calculates outcomes.

Premotor Cortex

Active during preparation; sights target & plans direction for reach.

Supplementary Motor Cortex

Organizes rapid sequences of movement (both sides of body).

Mirror Neurons

Are active during both preparation of a movement and while watching someone else perform a movement; may be important for social behaviors- understanding, identifying and imitating other people

Mirror Neurons

Occur in motor cortex and in brain areas that process sensation and social emotions.