FORWARD MODELS FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MOTOR CONTROL

Based on theoretical and computational studies it has been suggested t hat the central nervous system (CNS) internally simulates the behaviou r of the motor system in planning, control and learning. Such an inter nal ''forward'' model is a representation of the motor system that use s the current stare of the motor system and motor command to predict t he next stare. We will outline the uses of such internal models for so lving several fundamental computational problems in motor control and then review the evidence for their existence and use by the CNS. Final ly we speculate how the location of an internal model within the CNS m ay be identified. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.