Somatosensory cells in the parieto-occipital area V6A of the macaque

Neuroreport. 2002 Nov 15;13(16):2113-6. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200211150-00024.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether neurones of area V6A, a part of Brodmann's area 19, are modulated by passive somatosensory stimulations. Extracellular activity was recorded in four awake while passive tactile stimulations of the skin and passive rotations of the joints were performed in complete darkness and under eye movement control. Out of 240 V6A units, 78 (32%) were modulated by somatosensory stimulations. The majority of somatic receptive fields were located on both proximal and distal parts of the contralateral arm. V6A somatosensory cells may play a role in the feedback control of the actual state of the arm while reaching its target in peripersonal space.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Darkness
  • Electrophysiology
  • Eye Movements
  • Functional Laterality
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Occipital Lobe / physiology*
  • Parietal Lobe / physiology*
  • Perception / physiology
  • Sensation / physiology*
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*
  • Touch / physiology