Articles tagged with Motor Control
A new study reveals that astrocytes regulate inhibitory signaling in the cerebellum during development, enabling the emergence of flexible and precise motor coordination. In contrast, younger animals rely on neuron-derived tonic inhibition, which is replaced by astrocyte-derived tonic inhibition in late adolescence.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
Donoghue was recognized for his foundational leadership in advancing brain–computer interfaces, enabling individuals with paralysis to regain independence. His work has shown that neural activity persists even after spinal cord injury or neurological illnesses like ALS have robbed people of their ability to move.
A new randomized clinical trial found that training the less-impaired arm significantly improved movement coordination, speed and control in chronic stroke survivors. The study showed that motor skills in the less-affected arm can be improved even years after a stroke occurs.
Researchers have uncovered how the motor cortex and striatum work together like an hourglass to flexibly control movement timing. By tracking neural activity patterns and manipulating specific brain regions using optogenetics, they identified the critical role of each region in the brain's internal timer.
Researchers developed a novel method to induce physiological responses similar to those experienced under psychological pressure. The approach, which involves aiming for consecutive successes, shows promise for studying the impact of pressure on human performance, including physical and intellectual tasks.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that people's spontaneous eye blinks synchronize with musical beats, indicating a deep coordination between hearing and action. This discovery sheds light on how our brains process rhythm and could lead to new treatments for neurological conditions affecting body movement.
Researchers developed a novel exoskeleton CASIA-EXO with subject-adaptive control, enabling efficient motor relearning and enhancing neural plasticity. The system uses intention-based trajectory planning and performance-based intervention adaptation to individualize training trajectories and intervention levels.
A study by Kahori Kita and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University found that switching between movement patterns is difficult, especially for newly learned motor skills. However, with practice, participants improved their ability to switch between movements. The researchers hope to further explore how these memories are retrieved.
Researchers discovered that people master new physical skills like sports or driving by combining lessons from error feedback and rewards, even with cues removed. The brain uses both feedback types in a mixed learning pattern, not separate processes as previously thought.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that combining non-invasive brain stimulation and robotic rehabilitation can significantly improve motor recovery in a mouse stroke model. The treatment restored parvalbumin interneuron dynamics, leading to better motor function.
Researchers discovered that proprioceptive nerve cells for sensing leg motion are deactivated during active movement in fruit flies. This selective suppression may enable the insect to quickly respond to sudden external events. The study advances basic scientific knowledge of sensory feedback and its application to clinical treatments
Despite long-held assumptions, a new study reveals that the brain's somatosensory cortex holds a stable 'body map' even after limb loss. The findings have significant implications for treating phantom limb pain and restoring sensation in prosthetic limbs via brain-computer interfaces.
A recent study published in Advanced Science found that life-long oral nicotine administration attenuates age-associated motor decline in mice by reprogramming aging-related systemic metabolism via the sphingolipid-energy metabolic axis. Nicotine treatment also enhanced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide availability, limited ceramide a...
Researchers found measurable changes in brain signals responsible for motor control and movement after 12 dynamic cycling sessions. The study suggests long-term exercise programs could have wider restorative effects on the brain signals of Parkinson's Disease patients.
This study provides a comprehensive overview of arc-linear motors (ALMs) used in direct-drive applications, discussing their topologies, working principles, performances, and optimization techniques. Key findings highlight the merits and demerits of various ALM types and future trends in motor design and control.
Dr. Salil Bidaye has received a $450,000 Klingenstein fellowship award to investigate the mechanisms behind postural instability, a hallmark of many neurological disorders that decreases quality of life. His research aims to advance motor control research across other model systems and inform brain-computer interface prosthetics.
Researchers have successfully controlled a dexterous robotic hand using noninvasive EEG-based Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for individual finger movements. The study demonstrates real-time brain decoding and motor imagery control, paving the way for potential applications beyond basic communication to intricate motor control.
The new centre will investigate neural dynamics, developing novel interventions and devices to improve symptom relief and quality of life for people with brain disorders. It aims to harness neural dynamics for people with conditions like Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy.
Researchers found that individual neurons have perplexingly complex responses, but their activity is shaped by a shared structure that ultimately guides the brain toward a unified choice. The findings offer deeper insight into fundamental brain function and how it goes awry in disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
A new technique using focused sound waves and microbubbles has shown great promise in treating debilitating brain lesions called cerebral cavernous malformations. The approach has halted the growth of lesions almost entirely, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment.
Researchers developed promising α-synuclein PET tracers that can visualize protein aggregates in living patients, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Tracers like [18F]C05-05 and [18F]ACI-12589 showed significant results in distinguishing synucleinopathies from healthy controls.
A team of researchers, led by Jean-Paul Noel, has discovered that the brain's motor area largely coincides with the onset of intention. The study used a brain-machine interface to separate intentions from actions in a paralyzed participant, revealing a compressed temporal binding between intention and action.
University of Cincinnati researchers, in collaboration with end users, develop a user-centered, easy-to-use assistive device to help restore hand grasping motions. The team aims to combine an exoskeleton device with functional electrical stimulation (FES) technology to create a hybrid system.
Researchers discovered that dopamine levels in a specific brain region are closely linked to male sexual behavior transitions. The study found rhythmic dopamine input during intromission was regulated by acetylcholine innervation, directly triggering ejaculation.
The University of Rhode Island will host the international XV Progress in Motor Control Conference from June 30 to July 2, featuring over 30 invited speakers from around the world. The conference will focus on theoretical advances in motor control, motor learning and neural plasticity, motor disorders and rehabilitation.
A recent study by Janelia researchers found that the striatum and motor cortex collaborate to specify movement parameters, contradicting traditional theories. This discovery sheds light on the role of the striatum in motor control and could lead to better understanding of movement disorders like Parkinson's and Huntington's.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and Imperial College London demonstrate the connection between hand movement patterns and motoneuron control patterns, enabling natural control of bionic limbs. The study reports successful testing of a soft prosthetic hand with individuals with physical impairments.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique method for encoding natural touch sensations via specific microstimulation patterns in implantable electrodes. This allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to feel tactile edges, shapes, curvatures and movements, enabling them to control a bionic arm with the...
A clinical trial showed that an antibody blocking Nogo-A protein improves motor function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. The treatment led to significant improvements in voluntary muscle activation and everyday life functional independence. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
A new study from Oregon Health & Science University found that people who receive physical therapy earlier after a concussion tend to have better balance control and reduced reaction times. This can lead to improved outcomes and reduced risk of re-injury. Early intervention may enable the brain to return to a more normal state, compens...
Researchers developed an evaluation scale based on three physical performance tests: single-leg balance, timed up and go, and sit-to-stand. The scale predicts long-term care risk among older adults with high accuracy, particularly those with scores of 41 or more. It provides a comprehensive assessment method for Japanese older adults.
Healthy mice swing their tails actively to counterbalance tilts, producing significant angular momentum. This study provides a new experimental setup for assessing mouse balance and improves understanding of neurological mechanisms behind balance issues.
Researchers found that participants with Parkinson's who performed rapid side-to-side eye movements showed reduced body sway and improved posture. In contrast, those with Parkinson's who made vertical saccadic eye movements experienced increased body instability.
Studies show that the cerebellum is critical for forming stable memories for sensorimotor skills, largely independent of short-term memory systems. Researchers found that longer time intervals between trials increased reliance on impaired long-term memory.
A new study proposes a theoretically new mechanism to modulate spinal reflexes at the same spinal cord level as stretch reflexes during voluntary movements. The research, led by Biomedical engineering doctoral student Grace Niyo, suggests that a simple spinal circuit can correct self-perturbations from stretch reflexes to produce smoot...
A team of researchers led by University of California San Diego's David Kleinfeld will study the coordination of multiple sensory inputs and head movements using laboratory mice and rats. They aim to understand how individual cells and complex neural circuits interact in time and space.
A small group of dopamine neurons in the striatum plays a crucial role in balancing essential brain functions, including reward, cognition, and movement. This discovery could lead to new treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders.
The study found that robotic postural stand training with epidural stimulation improved trunk control during standing tasks, but had no significant impact on sitting outcomes for high-level motor-complete individuals with SCI. This suggests that rehabilitation strategies should be tailored to target specific postures.
Researchers developed a motor meta-learning task to assess stroke patients' ability to recognize their learning capabilities and plan practice. The study found a significant correlation between meta-learning ability and improvement index, suggesting that enhanced individual meta-learning ability can improve rehabilitation efficacy.
A recent study found that the cerebellum plays a crucial role in regulating thirst, with the hormone asprosin activating Purkinje neurons to enhance water intake. This discovery has significant implications for managing thirst disorders such as polydipsia and hypodipsia, for which current treatments are scarce.
Researchers found that motor memories are influenced by cognitive processes, not just physical actions. The study used football penalty shootouts and robotic handle movements to demonstrate the brain's differentiation of actions based on decision uncertainty.
Researchers developed a novel approach to estimate permanent magnet temperature (PMT) directly from measurements, simplifying implementation and improving accuracy. The method is computation-efficient, non-invasive, and independent from winding temperature rise and inverter distortion.
Researchers discovered that command-like DNs in fruit flies recruit additional networks of neurons to orchestrate complex behaviors. The study shows that these networks work together to produce coordinated actions, transforming the way we understand brain signals and behavior.
A new study reveals that neural activity related to sound detection and movement are temporally separated but share commonalities, with neurons adapting their activity based on experience. The findings shed light on the brain's complex processing of sensory information and behavioral choices.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Brain Science discovered neural circuitry in the spinal cord that enables brain-independent motor learning and recall. The study found two critical groups of neurons: one necessary for new adaptive learning and another for recalling adaptations once learned.
The study found that the cerebellum uses information about errors to refine movement and contributes to cognitive functions. The posterior lateral region of the cerebellum is interconnected with the prefrontal cortex and helps shape cognition.
Researchers discovered a class of cerebellar inputs, called climbing fibres, are essential for associative learning to occur. These
A phase 3 trial co-led by a University of Cincinnati researcher found that subcutaneous levodopa delivery through an infusion pump is safe and effective in reducing symptoms for longer periods. The study resulted in almost two hours of additional 'on time' compared to traditional oral medication, paving the way for potential FDA approval.
Researchers discovered that a specific phase of neck motor neuron activation in roundworms adjusts their trajectory toward higher salt concentrations. This finding highlights the neural mechanisms underlying navigation and sensory-motor integration, shedding light on how even simple animals adapt to environmental changes.
A new epidemiological study reveals that bacterial meningitis can cause significant and lasting neurological disabilities in children. The infection can be cured with antibiotics, but it often leads to permanent impairment. Researchers analyzed data from over 3,500 people who contracted bacterial meningitis as children and found a high...
Researchers investigate centro-cingulate network changes and cholinergic innervation deficits in Parkinson disease and normal aging. Studies reveal significant correlations between centro-cingulate changes and cognitive impairments, motor symptoms, and age.
A brain-computer interface (BCI) has been successfully used to restore control of home devices for a patient with ALS, allowing the individual to navigate a communication board and smart devices without recalibration. The BCI device was implanted on the surface of the brain areas responsible for speech and upper limb function, enabling...
Researchers have identified a conserved brain region in vertebrates essential for initiating forward movement. The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) stimulates reticulospinal neurons to control finer details of movement. Mapping this circuit could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified a diverse range of dopamine neurons that control movement, contradicting the long-held assumption that they only respond to rewards. The study sheds new light on Parkinson's disease, which affects motor skills despite the loss of dopamine neurons.
Scientists found that cooling or warming the striatum region slows down or speeds up activity patterns, which correlates with rats' timing judgements. This provides evidence for the 'population clock hypothesis', suggesting that brains use decentralized and flexible sense of time.
Human metacognitive behavior is distinct from AI's reward-punishment system, with humans adjusting memory retention in response to gain and learning speed in response to loss. This asymmetric property may provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying human metacognition.
A special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine explores the treatment and management of cerebral palsy, including spasticity management and pain relief. The articles discuss various approaches to managing spasticity, such as enteral baclofen use and botulinum neurotoxinA injections, aiming to improve care and quali...
A Brazilian study found that prenatal exposure to cannabinoids increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, breathing difficulties, and impaired control of breathing. The study suggests that consumption of cannabis or derivatives during pregnancy can have severe effects on the fetus's neural and physiological functions.
A recent study published in Nature has identified specific brain areas that integrate planning, purpose, physiology, behavior, and movement. Researchers found that stimulating certain areas of the brain can calm both the body and mind, providing new insights into the mind-body connection.