Multiple cortical motor areas in macaques and marmosets are involved in vocal production and control
Neurobiologists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have given new meaning to the term "moving mouth" in a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
The findings — which may help better understand language barriers — refute a long-standing hypothesis, said lead researcher Peter L.
"This parallel processing in our neural circuitry may explain why humans are able to use highly complex language that allows us to share information, express and perceive emotions, and tell unforgettable stories," said Strick, who is also at the Pitt Brain Institute.
Led by Christina M.
"We chose these two monkeys because of their marked differences in vocalization behavior," Cerkevich explained
The researchers injected a transneuronal tracer made from rabies virus into the cricothyroid muscle in the monkey's throat
In addition to M1, both monkeys have multiple premotor areas in the frontal lobes that send descending command signals to the cricothyroid muscle
"This result challenges the long-held view that improvements in vocal motor skills are primarily due to changes in M1 output in the primary motor cortex," Strick said
Next steps include studying other nodes in the vocal motor network and understanding how changes in this network lead to vocal impairments including stuttering and apraxia