title: Cross-correlation analysis of interneuronal connectivity in the motor cortex of the monkey.
abstract: Pairs of neurones were recorded within the hand region of the precentral motor cortex of monkeys trained to squeeze a force transducer between the thumb and index finger. Neuronal discharges of a pair of cells, recorded through the same electrode, were first examined for their co-variation with force. The discharges of those pairs with a consistent co-variation were cross-correlated during periods of constant isometric force. Cross-correlograms in the majority of cases had either a sharp peak or trough at latencies suggesting monosynaptic causal relations between the cell discharges. A peak was associated with pairs of cells whose discharges co-varied similarly with force and when a trough was observed, the cell discharges of the pair generally differed in their force co-variation. It is concluded that the action of motor cortical neurones is linked by common and recurrent collateral inputs during isometric co-contraction of finger muscles.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*