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Numerical representation for action in the parietal cortex of the monkey

Author

Listed:
  • Hiromasa Sawamura

    (Tohoku University School of Medicine)

  • Keisetsu Shima

    (Tohoku University School of Medicine)

  • Jun Tanji

    (Tohoku University School of Medicine
    The Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology Program)

Abstract

The anterior part of the parietal association area in the cerebral cortex of primates has been implicated in the integration of somatosensory signals1,2, which generate neural images of body parts and apposed objects and provide signals for sensorial guidance of movements3,4,5,6. Here we show that this area is active in primates performing numerically based behavioural tasks. We required monkeys to select and perform movement A five times, switch to movement B for five repetitions, and return to movement A, in a cyclical fashion. Cellular activity in the superior parietal lobule reflected the number of self-movement executions. For the most part, the number-selective activity was also specific for the type of movement. This type of numerical representation of self-action was seen less often in the inferior parietal lobule, and rarely in the primary somatosensory cortex. Such activity in the superior parietal lobule is useful for processing numerical information, which is necessary to provide a foundation for the forthcoming motor selection.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiromasa Sawamura & Keisetsu Shima & Jun Tanji, 2002. "Numerical representation for action in the parietal cortex of the monkey," Nature, Nature, vol. 415(6874), pages 918-922, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:415:y:2002:i:6874:d:10.1038_415918a
    DOI: 10.1038/415918a
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    Cited by:

    1. Maximilian E. Kirschhock & Andreas Nieder, 2022. "Number selective sensorimotor neurons in the crow translate perceived numerosity into number of actions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Dickhaut, John & Smith, Vernon & Xin, Baohua & Rustichini, Aldo, 2013. "Human economic choice as costly information processing," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 206-221.

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