Hints for a topographic map of tuning properties in primate motor cortex

The spatial organization of tuning properties of neurons in the primate motor cortex is still unknown. Here, we analyze the directional tuning of neurons and local field potentials recorded in the motor cortex of monkeys performing center out arm movements. We found that the tuning of nearby neurons, and of single neurons and local field potentials recorded from the same electrodes is more similar than expected by chance. These findings are in agreement with a spatial organization of the tuning properties in motor cortex.