: The cingulate motor area (M3 or area 24c) is a newly discovered motor representation in part of the primate brain that is located in the dorsal-most edge of the limbic lobe. Its position within this lobe, interconnections with multimodal limbic areas that process pre-processed information, and the unique motor characteristics of its neurons suggest that it represents an important interface for higher-order limbic-motor interactions. How multimodal association cortex of the limbic lobe influences voluntary motor behavior remains an unanswered but extremely important question in Neurology. The goal of this research is to characterize functional pathways that connect several limbic-affiliated parts of the temporal lobe with physiologically mapped body representations of the motor cortex which, in turn, directly influence distinct muscle groups in the face and extremities. The specific hypotheses are: 1) medial temporal lobe projections from the amygdala, temporal pole, perirhinal cortex and posterior parahippocampal gyrus terminate directly and differentially, in functionally-characterized body representations of the cingulate motor cortex and; 2) physiologically defined parts of the cingulate motor cortex that are linked to multimodal limbic areas of the temporal lobe innervate directly distinct populations of lower neurons controlling the operation of muscles in the face and extremities. To test these hypotheses, strategies combining multiple neuronal labelling techniques augmented with physiological methodology will be employed. We will map important functional linkages between parts of the medial temporal lobe and lower motor neurons innervating the upper and lower facial muscles, and muscles of the extremities affecting different movements across different joints. Characterizing functional linkages between multimodal limbic cortices and lower motor neuron centers controlling individual muscle groups will have fundamental implications for interpreting non-invasive functional imaging studies and understanding why stereotyped movements are part of seizure disorders, why abnormal activities in the form of predictable motor patterns accompany psychiatric illness, and how lesions affecting the anterior cingulate gyrus give rise to the extraordinary syndrome of akinesia.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
3R29NS033003-04S1
Application #
6321367
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 2 (NEUB)
Program Officer
Spinella, Giovanna M
Project Start
1997-03-01
Project End
2001-12-31
Budget Start
2000-01-01
Budget End
2000-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$50,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Dakota
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
929930808
City
Vermillion
State
SD
Country
United States
Zip Code
57069
Morecraft, R J; Stilwell-Morecraft, K S; Ge, J et al. (2015) Cytoarchitecture and cortical connections of the anterior insula and adjacent frontal motor fields in the rhesus monkey. Brain Res Bull 119:52-72
Morecraft, R J; Stilwell-Morecraft, K S; Cipolloni, P B et al. (2012) Cytoarchitecture and cortical connections of the anterior cingulate and adjacent somatomotor fields in the rhesus monkey. Brain Res Bull 87:457-97
McNeal, David W; Darling, Warren G; Ge, Jizhi et al. (2010) Selective long-term reorganization of the corticospinal projection from the supplementary motor cortex following recovery from lateral motor cortex injury. J Comp Neurol 518:586-621
Morecraft, Robert J; McNeal, David W; Stilwell-Morecraft, Kimberly S et al. (2007) Localization of arm representation in the cerebral peduncle of the non-human primate. J Comp Neurol 504:149-67
Morecraft, Robert J; McNeal, David W; Stilwell-Morecraft, Kimberly S et al. (2007) Amygdala interconnections with the cingulate motor cortex in the rhesus monkey. J Comp Neurol 500:134-65
Morecraft, R J; Cipolloni, P B; Stilwell-Morecraft, K S et al. (2004) Cytoarchitecture and cortical connections of the posterior cingulate and adjacent somatosensory fields in the rhesus monkey. J Comp Neurol 469:37-69
Morecraft, Robert J; Stilwell-Morecraft, Kimberly S; Rossing, William R (2004) The motor cortex and facial expression: new insights from neuroscience. Neurologist 10:235-49
Morecraft, Robert J; Herrick, James L; Stilwell-Morecraft, Kimberly S et al. (2002) Localization of arm representation in the corona radiata and internal capsule in the non-human primate. Brain 125:176-98
Morecraft, R J; Rockland, K S; Van Hoesen, G W (2000) Localization of area prostriata and its projection to the cingulate motor cortex in the rhesus monkey. Cereb Cortex 10:192-203
Morecraft, R J; Van Hoesen, G W (1998) Convergence of limbic input to the cingulate motor cortex in the rhesus monkey. Brain Res Bull 45:209-32

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