2009 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Integrative approach for the cortical control of eye and hand movements
| Project/Area Number |
17021041
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Review Section |
Biological Sciences
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| Research Institution | National Institute for Physiological Sciences |
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Principal Investigator |
ISA Tadashi National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 発達生理学研究系, 教授 (20212805)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
ENDO Toshiaki 生理学研究所, 発達生理学研究系, 助手 (30353436)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2005 – 2009
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| Keywords | 大脳皮質 / 上丘 / 皮質脊髄路 / 脊髄固有細胞 / サッケード / 精密把持 / サル |
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| Research Abstract |
After the lesion of the primary visual cortex, visually guided saccadic eye movements towards the targets presented in the affected visual field recovers within 1-2 months in monkeys. After the recovery, the visual signal is processed mainly by the superior colliculus (SC). Under particular circumstances, the direct visual inputs from the retina to the superficial layer of the SC can directly activate the neurons in the intermediate layer of the SC and then the further activation of the saccade generator circuits downstream in the brainstem triggers ultra-short latency saccades named express saccades.
After the lesion of the direct cortico-motoneuronal connections from the primary motor cortex to hand motoneurons, dexterous finger movements are once impaired but recover through training within 1-2 months in monkeys. Such recovery is contributed by the indirect cortico-motoneuronal pathway mediated by propriospinal neurons located a few segments rostral to motoneurons.
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