Intentional maps in posterior parietal cortex

Annu Rev Neurosci. 2002:25:189-220. doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.25.112701.142922. Epub 2002 Mar 27.

Abstract

The posterior parietal cortex (PPC), historically believed to be a sensory structure, is now viewed as an area important for sensory-motor integration. Among its functions is the forming of intentions, that is, high-level cognitive plans for movement. There is a map of intentions within the PPC, with different subregions dedicated to the planning of eye movements, reaching movements, and grasping movements. These areas appear to be specialized for the multisensory integration and coordinate transformations required to convert sensory input to motor output. In several subregions of the PPC, these operations are facilitated by the use of a common distributed space representation that is independent of both sensory input and motor output. Attention and learning effects are also evident in the PPC. However, these effects may be general to cortex and operate in the PPC in the context of sensory-motor transformations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Mapping
  • Eye Movements / physiology
  • Humans
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Neural Pathways / anatomy & histology
  • Neural Pathways / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Orientation / physiology*
  • Parietal Lobe / anatomy & histology
  • Parietal Lobe / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Volition / physiology