Citation

Cisek P, Kalaska JF. Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 2010; 33: 269-298.

Affiliation

Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central (FRSQ), Département de Physiologie, Université de Montréeal, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7 Canada; email: paul.cisek@umontreal.ca.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Annual Reviews)

DOI

10.1146/annurev.neuro.051508.135409

PMID

20345247

Abstract

The neural bases of behavior are often discussed in terms of perceptual, cognitive, and motor stages, defined within an information processing framework that was originally inspired by models of human abstract problem solving. Here, we review a growing body of neurophysiological data that is difficult to reconcile with this influential theoretical perspective. As an alternative foundation for interpreting neural data, we consider frameworks borrowed from ethology, which emphasize the kinds of real-time interactive behaviors that animals have engaged in for millions of years. In particular, we discuss an ethologically-inspired view of interactive behavior as simultaneous processes that specify potential motor actions and select between them. We review how recent neurophysiological data from diverse cortical and subcortical regions appear more compatible with this parallel view than with the classical view of serial information processing stages. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Neuroscience Volume 33 is June 16, 2010. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/catalog/pubdates.aspx for revised estimates.

Language: en