The ability to dynamically change motor outputs, such as stopping an initiated response, is an important aspect of human behavior. A hyperdirect pathway between the inferior frontal gyrus and subthalamic nucleus is hypothesized to mediate movement inhibition, but there is limited evidence for this in humans. We recorded high spatial and temporal resolution field potentials from both the inferior frontal gyrus and subthalamic nucleus in 21 subjects. Cortical potentials evoked by subthalamic stimulation revealed short latency events indicative of monosynaptic connectivity between the inferior frontal gyrus and ventral subthalamic nucleus. During a stop signal task, stopping-related potentials in the cortex preceded stopping-related activity in the subthalamic nucleus, and synchronization between these task-evoked potentials predicted the stop signal reaction time. Thus, we show that a prefrontal-subthalamic hyperdirect pathway is present in humans and mediates rapid stopping. These findings may inform therapies to treat disorders featuring perturbed movement inhibition.

中文翻译：

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前额叶-底丘脑超直接通路调节人类运动抑制。


动态改变电机输出的能力，例如停止启动的响应，是人类行为的一个重要方面。假设额下回和丘脑底核之间的超直接通路可以介导运动抑制，但在人类中这一点的证据有限。我们记录了 21 名受试者额下回和丘脑底核的高空间和时间分辨率场电位。底丘脑刺激引起的皮质电位揭示了短潜伏期事件，表明额下回和底丘脑腹侧核之间存在单突触连接。在停止信号任务期间，皮层中与停止相关的电位先于丘脑底核中与停止相关的活动，并且这些任务诱发电位之间的同步预测了停止信号反应时间。因此，我们表明人类中存在前额叶-底丘脑超直接通路并介导快速停止。这些发现可能为治疗运动抑制紊乱疾病的疗法提供信息。