Cortico-striatal contributions to behaviour
File(s)
Author(s)
Fortunato, Catia
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Humans are capable of performing a wide range of movements. Some of these movements require extensive training to master, while others come as naturally as breathing. Understanding how movement is generated in the brain requires exploring the contributions of different brain areas across this spectrum of movements.
Recent work in the neural control of movement shows that neural activity is typically constrained to a lower-dimensional space known as the neural manifold. This perspective has provided significant insights into movement generation, yet much remains to be understood. In this thesis, we leverage this framework to uncover the contributions of the sensorimotor cortex and the striatum to behaviour generation.
This thesis is divided into two main projects:
- What factors shape the neural manifold?
- How do sensorimotor regions contribute to generating complex 'naturalistic' behaviour?
In the first project, we investigate the factors that shape the neural manifold. By combining neural population recordings from the motor cortex of monkeys, humans, and mice, as well as the mouse striatum, we demonstrate that neural manifolds are intrinsically nonlinear. The degree of nonlinearity is region-specific and increases with task complexity.
In the second project, we explore how the sensorimotor cortex and striatum contribute to movement during spontaneous and randomly perturbed running. Our findings show that these areas are engaged during both periods of running, but striatal neurons contain the most information about kinematics, particularly when the animal is being perturbed. This supports a growing body of research suggesting the striatum’s involvement in movement specification.
Overall, our work offers new perspectives on neural manifolds and emphasises the need to explore more complex 'naturalistic' tasks to truly understand how behaviour is generated.
Recent work in the neural control of movement shows that neural activity is typically constrained to a lower-dimensional space known as the neural manifold. This perspective has provided significant insights into movement generation, yet much remains to be understood. In this thesis, we leverage this framework to uncover the contributions of the sensorimotor cortex and the striatum to behaviour generation.
This thesis is divided into two main projects:
- What factors shape the neural manifold?
- How do sensorimotor regions contribute to generating complex 'naturalistic' behaviour?
In the first project, we investigate the factors that shape the neural manifold. By combining neural population recordings from the motor cortex of monkeys, humans, and mice, as well as the mouse striatum, we demonstrate that neural manifolds are intrinsically nonlinear. The degree of nonlinearity is region-specific and increases with task complexity.
In the second project, we explore how the sensorimotor cortex and striatum contribute to movement during spontaneous and randomly perturbed running. Our findings show that these areas are engaged during both periods of running, but striatal neurons contain the most information about kinematics, particularly when the animal is being perturbed. This supports a growing body of research suggesting the striatum’s involvement in movement specification.
Overall, our work offers new perspectives on neural manifolds and emphasises the need to explore more complex 'naturalistic' tasks to truly understand how behaviour is generated.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2024-07-19
Date Awarded
01/06/2025
License URL
Advisor
Gallego, Juan Alvaro
Publisher Department
Department of Bioengineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)