Kinematic Dissection of Arm Paresis after Focal New M1, Old M1 and Red Nucleus Lesions in Non-Human Primates

Stroke survivors typically transition through a stereotyped sequence of upper limb recovery. After initial weakness and loss of dexterity, spasticity and fixed muscle coactivation patterns (synergies) appear. Early work suggested that different features arise from distinct primary motor cortex (M1) subdivisions. Here we investigated this with modern methods, using focal ischemic lesions of cortex and electrocoagulation lesions of magnocellular red nucleus (RNm) in rhesus monkeys.

Nine animals were trained on a reach and grasp task; hand kinematics were assessed with markerless tracking. Focal M1 lesions within the central sulcus (New M1 in Strick’s terminology) and the posterior part of M1 on the gyrus (Posterior Old M1) both produced increases in reach trajectory variability and reductions in speed. The speed deficit was more long-lasting for Posterior Old M1, the trajectory variability deficit was more consistent for New M1. Anterior Old M1 lesions produced only small effects on speed. An extensive cortical lesion, which combined New and Old M1 with pre-motor and somatosensory cortex damage produced no more extensive deficits than lesions to OldM1 or NewM1 alone, suggesting that effects arose mainly from damage to descending pathways rather than cortico-cortical interactions.

Lesions of RNm led to long-lasting slowing of reach, but no increase in variability. Subsequent cortical lesions to Old M1 led to more severe effects, and worse recovery, than without the preceding RNm lesion. This emphasizes a key compensatory role of the rubrospinal tract following cortical damage in monkey, which is not possible in humans where the rubrospinal tract is vestigial.

None of the lesions investigated led to overt abnormal synergies.

The results fit with differences in descending connections from each area: New M1 has fast cortico-motoneuronal output, known to be important for fine motor control (here assessed by trajectory variability); Old M1 has cortico-reticular connections able to activate the reticulospinal tract, important for generating the high forces needed for fast movements.