What are the different stages from perception to
action?
3 levels:
Strategy: association areas of neocortex and basal ganglia of the
forebrain the goal of the movement and the movement strategy that
best achieves the goal
Tactics: the motor cortex and cerebellum the sequences of muscle
contractions, arranged in space and time
Execution: brain stem and spinal cord activation of the motor neuron
and interneuron pools that generate the goal-directed movement and
make any necessary adjustments of posture
Example (baseball pitcher) preparing to pitch a batter:
cerebral neocortex has information about where the body is in space
(vision, audition, somatic sensation etc). Strategies must me devised to
move the body. Several options are available to the pitcher, these
alternatives are filtered through the basal ganglia and back to the cortex
until a final decision is made (based on past experience). The motor areas
of the cortex and cerebellum then make the tactical decision (throw a ball)
and give instructions to the brain stem and SC. Activation of neurons in
the brain stem and SC then causes the movement to be executed.
1. Perception
= in this stage information from the external environment is received and
interpreted by the brain
Important structures involved in perception:
- Sensory organs (eyes, ears, skin etc.)
- Thalamus receives sensory information and directs it to the
appropriate higher-level processing centers
For example: visual information is processed in the lateral geniculate
nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus and then sent to the primary visual
cortex (V1) in the occipital lobe
, - Parietal lobe integrating sensory information – spatial awareness
and movement planning
2. Decision
= once the sensory information is processed, the brain needs to evaluate
it and make a decision on how to act involves higher-order cognitive
functions
Important structures involved:
- PFC
- Basal ganglia
- Anterior cingulate cortex
- Amydgala
3. Action
= the brain translates the decision into action involves planning and
initiating motor movements, while also adjusting based on feedback
Important structures:
- Motor cortex
The primary motor cortex: responsible for sending commands to
muscles to produces voluntary movement
The supplementary motor area (SMA): involved in planning and
coordinating complex movements
- Premotor cortex: involved in planning and organizing motor actions
- Cerebellum: critical for coordination and fine-tuning movements
- Spinal cord
- Basal ganglia
, Example: 1. Perception
The soccer player observes the field and the position of
the goalkeeper, teammates, and opposing players.
The player can also feel the ball and adjust their stance based on
their body position relative to the goal.
The sensory input here is visual (positioning of players, the
goal), proprioceptive (how the player’s body is positioned),
and auditory (the sounds of the crowd, the referee’s whistle).
The sensory cortices (occipital and parietal lobes) process the visual
information, and the parietal cortex helps maintain spatial awareness
(where the ball, body, and players are).
2. Decision
After perceiving the situation, the player has to decide on the best
strategy for the kick. Should they aim for the top corner of the goal, go for
a low-driven shot, or pass to a teammate?
The prefrontal cortex helps the player weigh their options based on the
context (e.g., the score, the goalkeeper’s positioning, the angle of the
kick).
The decision might be influenced by past experiences (e.g., the player’s
usual success with a particular kick) and any tactical information about
the goalkeeper's weaknesses or patterns (e.g., they dive to the left often).
3. Action
Once the decision is made, the player must act on the plan by kicking the
ball.
The motor cortex sends signals to the muscles of the legs, hips, and core
to perform the necessary movements to strike the ball accurately.
The cerebellum coordinates these movements, ensuring they are smooth
and precise (e.g., making sure the foot strikes the ball in the right place to
achieve the desired trajectory).
The brainstem and spinal cord coordinate the posture and balance during
the kick, ensuring stability.
action?
3 levels:
Strategy: association areas of neocortex and basal ganglia of the
forebrain the goal of the movement and the movement strategy that
best achieves the goal
Tactics: the motor cortex and cerebellum the sequences of muscle
contractions, arranged in space and time
Execution: brain stem and spinal cord activation of the motor neuron
and interneuron pools that generate the goal-directed movement and
make any necessary adjustments of posture
Example (baseball pitcher) preparing to pitch a batter:
cerebral neocortex has information about where the body is in space
(vision, audition, somatic sensation etc). Strategies must me devised to
move the body. Several options are available to the pitcher, these
alternatives are filtered through the basal ganglia and back to the cortex
until a final decision is made (based on past experience). The motor areas
of the cortex and cerebellum then make the tactical decision (throw a ball)
and give instructions to the brain stem and SC. Activation of neurons in
the brain stem and SC then causes the movement to be executed.
1. Perception
= in this stage information from the external environment is received and
interpreted by the brain
Important structures involved in perception:
- Sensory organs (eyes, ears, skin etc.)
- Thalamus receives sensory information and directs it to the
appropriate higher-level processing centers
For example: visual information is processed in the lateral geniculate
nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus and then sent to the primary visual
cortex (V1) in the occipital lobe
, - Parietal lobe integrating sensory information – spatial awareness
and movement planning
2. Decision
= once the sensory information is processed, the brain needs to evaluate
it and make a decision on how to act involves higher-order cognitive
functions
Important structures involved:
- PFC
- Basal ganglia
- Anterior cingulate cortex
- Amydgala
3. Action
= the brain translates the decision into action involves planning and
initiating motor movements, while also adjusting based on feedback
Important structures:
- Motor cortex
The primary motor cortex: responsible for sending commands to
muscles to produces voluntary movement
The supplementary motor area (SMA): involved in planning and
coordinating complex movements
- Premotor cortex: involved in planning and organizing motor actions
- Cerebellum: critical for coordination and fine-tuning movements
- Spinal cord
- Basal ganglia
, Example: 1. Perception
The soccer player observes the field and the position of
the goalkeeper, teammates, and opposing players.
The player can also feel the ball and adjust their stance based on
their body position relative to the goal.
The sensory input here is visual (positioning of players, the
goal), proprioceptive (how the player’s body is positioned),
and auditory (the sounds of the crowd, the referee’s whistle).
The sensory cortices (occipital and parietal lobes) process the visual
information, and the parietal cortex helps maintain spatial awareness
(where the ball, body, and players are).
2. Decision
After perceiving the situation, the player has to decide on the best
strategy for the kick. Should they aim for the top corner of the goal, go for
a low-driven shot, or pass to a teammate?
The prefrontal cortex helps the player weigh their options based on the
context (e.g., the score, the goalkeeper’s positioning, the angle of the
kick).
The decision might be influenced by past experiences (e.g., the player’s
usual success with a particular kick) and any tactical information about
the goalkeeper's weaknesses or patterns (e.g., they dive to the left often).
3. Action
Once the decision is made, the player must act on the plan by kicking the
ball.
The motor cortex sends signals to the muscles of the legs, hips, and core
to perform the necessary movements to strike the ball accurately.
The cerebellum coordinates these movements, ensuring they are smooth
and precise (e.g., making sure the foot strikes the ball in the right place to
achieve the desired trajectory).
The brainstem and spinal cord coordinate the posture and balance during
the kick, ensuring stability.
