Neural aspects of cognitive motor control

Traditionally, motor and cognitive functions were studied separately; howev er, the investigation of processes at the interface between cognition and a ction has become more and more popular recently. Typical research goals inc lude the identification of the processes involved using experimental psycho logical methods, and understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these p rocesses using neurophysiological and functional neuroimaging methods. Spec ifically, there has been a special emphasis during the past Few years on ti ming mechanisms, practice effects, and the application of rules in guiding action. New information concerning the neural mechanisms involved is being acquired at a rapid pace, albeit mostly within a descriptive framework. Wit h respect to specific brain areas, a key finding has been the clear involve ment of the primary motor cortex in complex tasks engaging diverse motor an d cognitive dimensions.