biostudies-literatureCurrie SPMedical Research CouncilWellcome TrustBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council110801https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9620742biostudies-literatureUnknown39(6)Motor cortex generates descending output necessary for executing a wide range of limb movements. Although movement-related activity has been described throughout motor cortex, the spatiotemporal organization of movement-specific signaling in deep layers remains largely unknown. Here we record layer 5B population dynamics in the caudal forelimb area of motor cortex while mice perform a forelimb push/pull task and find that most neurons show movement-invariant responses, with a minority displaying movement specificity. Using cell-type-specific imaging, we identify that invariant responses dominate pyramidal tract (PT) neuron activity, with a small subpopulation representing movement type, whereas a larger proportion of intratelencephalic (IT) neurons display movement-type-specific signaling.Cell reportsMovement-specific signaling is differentially distributed across motor cortex layer 5 projection neuron classes.PMC9620742BB/R018537/1MR/W004577/1EP/V025449/1110131/Z/15/ZEP/X018466/1Ammer JJDacre JClarke TMitchell LCurrie SPFaisal AAPremchand BDuguid IWu YColligan MEleftheriou CHennig MHfalseMovement-specific signaling is differentially distributed across motor cortex layer 5 projection neuron classes.Motor cortex generates descending output necessary for executing a wide range of limb movements. Although movement-related activity has been described throughout motor cortex, the spatiotemporal organization of movement-specific signaling in deep layers remains largely unknown. Here we record layer 5B population dynamics in the caudal forelimb area of motor cortex while mice perform a forelimb push/pull task and find that most neurons show movement-invariant responses, with a minority displaying movement specificity. Using cell-type-specific imaging, we identify that invariant responses dominate pyramidal tract (PT) neuron activity, with a small subpopulation representing movement type, whereas a larger proportion of intratelencephalic (IT) neurons display movement-type-specific signaling.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 May2026-07-14T15:21:01.203Z2025-04-06T16:33:49.929ZS-EPMC96207423554503810.1016/j.celrep.2022.110801