Ricerc@Sapienza

Cortical networks are characterized by the origin, destination, and reciprocity of their connections, as well as by the diameter, conduction velocity, and synaptic efficacy of their axons. The network formed by parietal and frontal areas lies at the core of cognitive-motor control because the outflow of parietofrontal signaling is conveyed to the subcortical centers and spinal cord through different parallel pathways, whose orchestration determines, not only when and how movements will be generated, but also the nature of forthcoming actions.

High-level motor functions such as reaching, grasping, object construction and tool use are classically described as being subserved by internal models which combine sensory signals with motor outflow operations. In contrast, internal models of rapid defensive behavior have been mostly considered to be minimally accessible to cognitive control, and thus rarely discussed in the context of motor cognition. In this chapter we propose, instead, that injury avoidance is based on cortical areas, anatomical connections and functional motifs similar to those described for goal-directed actions.