Reorganization of area 5 neuron activity in trained deafferented monkeys

Abstract

A command function is attributable to certain area 5 neurons which clearly fire before movement in trained monkey. Statistical analysis allowed us to define two categories of spontaneous firing mode for these cells: type I which exhibits a random pattern of discharge (14%), and type II displaying markedly “bursty firing”. After deafferentation, both categories were still observed in the same proportion. However, the discharge pattern and frequency in type II cells remained altered for 5 months. This paralleled rises in neural latency response (RS) and reaction time (RT). Beginning the 6th month, there was a progressive reorganization of the spontaneous activity along with normalization of RS and RT. Our results support the idea that an enhancement of the excitability of these area 5 neurons, initially depressed by the suppression of sensory inputs, occurs over time. This sensitivity gain could be due to neural network rearrangements induced by repetitive operant solicitation.