MOTOR FUNCTION

Motor Function

• The motor system transforms your intention into action

• Motor system operates in at least two stages: movement

planning and execution. Planning involves deciding what
action or series of actions to perform to fulfil an intention,
whereas execution orchestrates actual movement

• Many primary motor cortex neurons discharge mainly

during execution, while premotor and parietal cortices
contain more neurons that are strongly activated during the
planning stage

(2)
Motor Reflex Arc

(3)
 Motor Function

• Reaching for an Object Requires Sensory Information About

the Object’s Location in Space

• Space Is Represented in Several Cortical Areas(mainly posterior

parietal cortex) with Different Sensory and Motor Properties
• The Inferior Parietal and Ventral Premotor Cortex Contain
Representations of Peripersonal Space
• The Superior Parietal Cortex Uses Sensory Information to
Guide Arm Movements Toward Objects in Peripersonal Space

• Premotor and Primary Motor Cortex Formulate More Specific

Motor Plans About Intended Reaching Movements

(4)
Motor Function – premotor cortex

(5)
Motor Function – premotor cortex

(6)
Motor Function – Premotor cortex

(7)
 Motor Function – Mirror neuron

• Observable in both premotor cortex and posterior parietal (8)

cortex
Motor Function – Parietal cortex

(9)
 Cerebellum
• The cerebellum constitutes only 10% of the total volume of
the brain but contains more than one-half of its neurons
• Different regions of the cerebellum receive projections from
different parts of the brain and spinal cord and project to
different motor systems
• The structure comprises a series of highly regular, repeating
units, each of which contains the same basic microcircuit;
different regions of the cerebellum perform similar
computational operations on different inputs

• Involve in motor movement control, planning and also

learning

(10)
 Cerebellum

• Abnormalities in standing and walking

• Abnormalities in multi-joint movement
• Intention tremor
e.g. Responsible for smooth and coordinated motor movement …
(11)
 Basal Ganglia

• Plays a Role in Multiple Aspects of Movement

• Dopaminergic and Cholinergic Inputs to the Striatum Are
Implicated in Reinforcement Motor Learning
• Are Involved in the Regulation of Eye Movements, Mood,
Reward, and Executive Functions
(12)
Eye Movement

(13)
 Brain structures involve in Eye Movement

• Not to remember for exam…

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