12 - Premotor systems, attention to action and behavioural choice

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a premotor process as one whereby informational constraints generated within the nervous system are coupled to the effector apparatus by the transformation of intent into action. The dual premotor systems' hypothesis synthesizes information on neural function and behavior from a wide variety of sources. It suggests that different brain systems have evolved to facilitate and control action and that the degree to which these systems are activated depends upon whether an act is generated endogenously or is linked to immediate environmental conditions. The control of action emerges through a global process of progressive constraint application and self-organization within the nervous system and neuromuscular apparatus. It is proposed that the medial premotor system is involved in this process of voluntary supervision of motor behaviors through a process of selective facilitation and inhibition. The medial frontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the supplementary motor area serve as critical network nodes controlling cortical access to brainstem and spinal motor mechanisms. The dual premotor hypothesis predicts that those acts that involve a greater degree of voluntary effort and attention to action would involve a greater degree of activation of the medial premotor system.