Memory cells (motor cortex)

{{short description|Scientific concept related to the somatic motor system}}

Memory cells are found in the primary motor cortex (M1), a region located in the posterior portion of the frontal lobe of the brain. Their behavior is described by Bizzi et al. as:Li C-SR, Padoa-Schioppa C, Bizzi E: Neuronal correlates of motor

performance and motor learning in the primary motor cortex of

monkeys adapting to an external force field. Neuron 2001,

30:593-607

• In a baseline epoch (no force field on the end effector), they have one preferred direction
• In a force perturbation epoch, they show a change in the preferred direction
• In a subsequent washout epoch (no force field on the end effector), the change in preferred direction persists.