[Sequential rearrangements of ensemble activity of the putamen neurons of monkeys as a correlate to continuous behavior].

Simultaneous recording of unit activity of 6-8 putamen neurons in two monkeys (M. nemestrina and M. mulatta) during performance of the task of alternative spatial choice, was carried out. The extent of rearrangements of the activity in the groups of neurons with the transition from every step of the behavioral program to the next one and the degree of difference in mosaics of reactivity, forming at every step with a different variants of performance, were evaluated using discriminative analysis. The rearrangements of the impulse activity were recorded in all steps of the program. The dynamics of rearrangements with the choice of right or left feeder was different, which resulted in appearance of significant differences in mosaics of reactivity at the stage of decision making and receiving reward. The rearrangements preceding the task-oriented movement of one hand were more pronounced in the contralateral hemisphere. The volume of rearrangements may increase with the performance of movement but the differences of mosaics formed during the movement of right and left hand are decreasing. At the stage of reception of the reward, the rearrangements were greater in case the animal chose the certain (left) feeder irrespective of the side of recording the unit activity.