Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 64, 21 December 1973, Pages 85-102
Brain Research

Somatosensory properties of neurons in the superior parietal cortex (area 5) of the rhesus monkey

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(73)90172-8Get rights and content

Abstract

The response of individual neurons within Brodmann's area 5 of the parietal lobe to physiological somesthetic stimuli was studied in unanesthetized rhesus monkeys. Most neurons were sensitive to light mechanical stimulation of the skin and deep tissue and/or joint rotation.

These neurons were distinguishable from those of the primary somatosensory area by several characteristics: multiple joint interaction, ipsilateral receptive field, bilateral interaction, interaction between forelimb and hindlimb or trunk, and excitatory interaction of joint and skin stimuli. Some were highly selective, in that they responded only to certain critical patterns of stimuli involving both joint and skin. The results were viewed as supporting the hypothesis that area 5 is the site of higher order processing of somesthetic information received from the lemniscal system, and may give rise to the neural code of position and form of body and tactile objects in 3-dimensional space.

Reference (54)

  • SchwarzD.W.F. et al.

    Tactile directional sensitivity of area 2 oral neurons in the rhesus monkey cortex

    Brain Research

    (1971)
  • AmassianV.E.

    Studies on organization of a somesthetic association area, including a single unit analysis

    J. Neurophysiol.

    (1954)
  • BarlowH.B.

    Trigger features, adaptation and economy of impulse

  • BlomquistA.J. et al.

    Projection of dorsal roots and sensory nerves to cortical sensory motor regions of the squirrel monkey

    J. Neurophysiol.

    (1965)
  • BlumJ.S. et al.

    A behavioral analysis of the organization of the parieto-temporo-preoccipital cortex

    J. comp. Neurol.

    (1950)
  • BrodmannK.

    Beitra¨ge zur histologischen Lokalization der Grosshirnrinde. Dritte Mitteilung: Die Rindenfelder der niedren Affen

    J. Psychol. Neurol. (Lpz.)

    (1905)
  • ChowK.L. et al.

    The ‘association cortex’ ofMacaca mulatta, a review of recent contributions to its anatomy and function

    Brain

    (1953)
  • CritchleyM.

    The Parietal Lobe

    (1953)
  • CrosbyE.C. et al.

    Correlative Anatomy of the Nervous System

  • Denny-BrownD. et al.

    Amorphosynthesis from left parietal lesion

    Arch. Neurol. Psychiat. (Chic.)

    (1954)
  • Denny-BrownD. et al.

    The parietal lobe and behavior

    Res. Publ. Ass. nerv. ment. Dis.

    (1958)
  • Denny-BrownD. et al.

    The significance of perceptual rivalry resulting from parietal lesion

    Brain

    (1952)
  • DowB.M. et al.

    Single-unit responses to moving visual stimuli in middle suprasylvian gyrus of the cat

    J. Neurophysiol.

    (1970)
  • DuffyF.H. et al.

    Somatosensory system: Organizational hierarchy from single unit in monkey area 5

    Science

    (1971)
  • EttlingerG. et al.

    Change in tactile discrimination and in visual reaching after successive and simultaneous bilateral posterior parietal ablations in the monkey

    J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat.

    (1962)
  • FlemingJ.F.R. et al.

    The parietal lobe as an additional motor area: The motor effects of electrical stimulation and ablation of cortical area 5 and 7 in monekys

    J. comp. Neurol.

    (1955)
  • GrossC.G. et al.

    Visual properties of neurons in inferotemporal cortex of the macaque

    J. Neurophysiol.

    (1972)
  • Cited by (0)

    *

    Present address: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neurosciences, Fuchu-city, Tokyo 183.

    **

    Present address: Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University.

    ***

    Present address: Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka City University.

    ****

    Present address: Osaka Electro-Communication Unviersity.

    View full text