Elucidating Inhibitory, Top-down Control of Motor Cortical Output for Advanced Bi-directional Neural Interfaces (B08)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology ; Biomedical Systems Technology ; Experimental and Theoretical Network Neuroscience
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 528760423

Primary motor and premotor cortices transform motor plans into motor commands, playing crucial roles in brain-machine interfaces (BCIs). However, their interactions, especially how premotor areas influence primary motor areas during movement planning and execution, remain unclear. Our research showed that the premotor cortex inhibits the primary motor cortex during movement preparation via parvalbumin-positive (PV) interneurons in rodents. Project B08 will use advanced techniques like electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging, and optogenetics to investigate this pathway in mice. The findings will enhance understanding of interarea communication in the motor cortex, aiding precise feedback stimulation for BCIs.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1690: Disease Mechanisms and Functional Restoration of Sensory and Motor Systems
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Ilka Diester