Integrator dynamics in the cortico-basal ganglia loop for flexible motor timing.

ABSTRACT: Flexible control of motor timing is crucial for behaviour^1-4. Before volitional movement begins, the frontal cortex and striatum exhibit ramping spiking activity, with variable ramp slopes anticipating movement onsets^5-12. This activity in the cortico-basal ganglia loop may function as an adjustable 'timer,' triggering actions at the desired timing. However, because the frontal cortex and striatum share similar ramping dynamics and are both necessary for timing behaviours, distinguishing their individual roles in this timer function remains challenging. Here, to address this, we conducted perturbation experiments combined with multi-regional electrophysiology in mice performing a flexible lick-timing task. Following transient silencing of the frontal cortex, cortical

SUBMITTER: Yang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12851927 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature