Articles tagged with Motor Control
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have designed a four-legged robotic system that can walk on a narrow balance beam, enhancing quadruped agility and balance. The system employs reaction wheel actuators to provide independent control of the body's orientation, allowing the robot to recover from sudden impacts and disturbances.
Researchers are investigating whether faecal microbiota transplantation can modulate the immune reaction and alter gut microbiota in early-stage ALS patients. The trial aims to investigate the relationship between specific gut bacteria and their action on immune system cells.
A study published in Brain found that disconnecting nerve pathways in the brain can lead to improved seizure freedom in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy. The research, involving 47 patients, revealed that cutting these connections resulted in 88% of patients being seizure-free after three years.
Researchers found that players' brains respond differently to human and machine opponents, with desynchronization indicating active calculations. The study suggests that training with machines may not replicate the experience of playing against humans.
A UC Riverside-led study finds nearly half of domestic well water users in the Central Valley live in disadvantaged communities with high manganese contamination rates. The highest concentrations are found in private, untreated well water systems, posing health risks to fetuses and children.
Researchers developed a neural implant that restored limb function to amputees and paralysed individuals by integrating with the brain and nerve. The biohybrid device combines electronic components with reprogrammed muscle cells, preventing scar tissue formation and improving signal extraction.
Researchers have created wearable microscopes to produce high-definition, real-time images of mouse spinal cord activity across previously inaccessible regions. This technology enables unprecedented insight into the neural basis of sensations and movement in healthy and disease contexts.
A new head-worn device allows users to control a mobile robot via head motion and speech recognition, requiring fewer fine motor skills than existing technologies. In a human study, participants performed household and self-care tasks with low error rates, minimal effort, and high perceived ease of use.
Researchers found pronounced delays in brainstem responses to sounds among newborns later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This delay may be linked to limited access to sound frequencies and difficulties integrating sensory streams, ultimately affecting social interactions and communication.
Researchers employed computer vision to extract social behaviors and linked them to brain synchronization patterns in a novel approach. During cooperative play, brain synchronization was strongest when participants shared gaze, while individual play showed increased within-brain synchronization.
Researchers have generated large-scale muscle-controlling nerve cells from ALS patients, revealing striking differences in gene expression between males and females. The study, published in Neuron, used over 450 lines of stem cells to create motor neurons that can potentially lead to the development of new therapeutics.
Researchers identify vulnerable cell populations in the striatum, which contributes to loss of motor control and early mood disorders. Damage to striosomes may be responsible for mood disorders, while degeneration of matrix neurons likely contributes to motor decline.
Researchers found that the new law allowing goalkeepers to put one foot in front of the line improved their penalty diving performance. The study, led by Paulo Roberto Pereira Santiago, used 3D body reconstruction technology and motion capture to analyze dives.
A new study finds epigenetic aging is associated with aberrant neural oscillatory dynamics serving visuospatial processing in people with HIV. Participants showed accelerated biological age and different brain activity patterns compared to controls, suggesting a link between biological aging and neural function in PWH.
Researchers identified two components of a fruit fly's flight stabilization system responsible for angular displacement and angular velocity. By studying genetically engineered flies with optogenetics and magnetic perturbation, they found that two muscles control pitch, enabling stable flight.
The study found conserved structures of neuronal activity in the sensorimotor cortex of freely moving rats, revealing a clear gradient for contralateral bias. This breakthrough helps understand brain control of movements under natural conditions and enables further development of neuroprosthetic devices.
Researchers discovered a unique anatomical design in octopus nerve cords that connects arms symmetrically, providing new insights into alternative nervous system structures. This discovery may aid in the development of new engineered technologies, such as robots and autonomous underwater devices.
A research team at MedUni Vienna's Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery has discovered a previously unknown ability of the autonomic nervous system to spontaneously restore muscle function following a nerve injury. This finding may form the basis for improving interventions to treat nerve lesions.
Researchers from Humboldt University of Berlin and Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research examined the facial motor nucleus of African and Asian elephants. They found more facial motor neurons than any other terrestrial mammal, with African savanna elephants having up to 63,000 neurons.
Researchers identified a kinase molecule that directs microglia activity, potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and MS. The molecule, called spleen tyrosine kinase, targets plaque buildup and debris accumulation in the brain.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
The Human Brain Project has identified seven new areas in the insular cortex using statistical mapping of cytoarchitecture, providing new insights into its structural organisation. The findings are now available online for future studies addressing relations between structure and function in this complex brain region.
A study found that inactivating a specific protein complex, PRC2, leads to impaired gene silencing and loss of neurotransmitter production in nerve cells. This is linked to Parkinson's disease-like symptoms and mental health problems.
Researchers discovered that brain-robot interfaces can reroute motor pathways around damaged areas in stroke patients, allowing for improved hand function and control. This breakthrough technology uses proprioceptive feedback to enhance communication between the brain and muscles.
A research team has won the NIH's Neuromod Prize for their innovative approach to spinal stimulation, which uses autonomic neuromodulation to regulate nervous system activity. The breakthrough could lead to improved autonomy and daily functioning for people with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers have successfully created the first solid-state optical nanomotor, overcoming previous limitations in real-world applications. The new motor can rotate on a solid substrate under light illumination, enabling it to serve as a fuel-free engine for various micro-/nano-electro-mechanical systems.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba develop a model that combines multiple theories to simulate motor learning in humans. The study found that larger amounts of motor exploration aid in learning sensitivity derivatives and transforming errors into motor corrections.
A new AI system uses artificial neural networks to recognize objects more accurately and stably, despite changing visual inputs. The system mimics human eye movements to improve machine vision capabilities, reducing errors in self-driving cars and other applications.
Researchers found that walking enhances performance on cognitive tasks in 14 participants by increasing frontal brain function, while 12 others showed no improvement. This discovery highlights the flexibility of a healthy brain and has implications for understanding aging and neurological disorders.
Researchers at UC Davis and UC Berkeley have mapped the full motor cortex of Egyptian fruit bats, showing that brain areas represent common synergies of muscles rather than individual muscles. This study highlights the unique motor control abilities of these bats, which use their tongue to echolocate and aim sonar beams.
Research found that voluntary wheel running increased dopamine signaling in motor areas of mice. This increase remained even after exercise ended. The study suggests BDNF may catalyze increased dopamine signaling.
Researchers mapped neural networks in marmoset and macaque monkeys to find that multiple areas in the frontal lobe control vocalization, contradicting a long-held view. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of speech disorders such as stuttering and apraxia.
Research shows that stable basal ganglia activity is essential for smooth movements, as disrupting this activity leads to unstable and involuntary movements. The study used a chemogenetic tool to suppress neural activity in the subthalamic nucleus of macaque monkeys, inducing abnormal movements.
A new control allocation method using a neural network improves the performance of quadrotor controllers by considering aerodynamic effects. This approach reduces errors in command generation and delivers better thrust and torque signals.
Developed by Prof. Qing Shi's team, SQuRo can mimic the motion of actual rats and perform various motions like crouching-to-standing, walking, crawling, and turning. It successfully passed through an irregular narrow passage and demonstrated its potential application to inspection tasks inside narrow spaces.
A retrospective study confirms coffee's potential as a first-line treatment for ADCY5-related dyskinesia, improving symptoms in 87% of patients. Coffee's efficacy is attributed to its ability to bind to adenosine receptors and modify the function of the dysfonctional protein ADCY5.
Researchers identify a neural circuit in midbrain, thalamus, and cortex that orchestrates neuronal activity to trigger planned movement. The discovery has important clinical implications for motor disorders like Parkinson's disease.
A study in mice reveals how the Kdm6b gene influences motor neuron development into subtypes with distinct synaptic targets. The research, led by biologists at the University at Buffalo, founds that Kdm6b works cooperatively with proteins Isl1-Lhx3 to diversify motor neurons.
A recent study suggests that the 30-second single-leg stance is an effective task for identifying balance deficits in children and teens who have sustained a concussion. This assessment may help clinicians distinguish symptomatic children from those who have clinically recovered better and faster.
A new Northwestern study reveals that brain motor neurons degenerate early in diseases like ALS, sending warning signals and showing defects. Targeting the brain's motor neurons could lead to long-term and effective treatment strategies.
A recent study found that using mechanical tools can improve understanding of complex sentences and vice versa. Researchers discovered that motor training with tools activates the same brain region as syntax exercises, suggesting that these skills rely on shared neurological resources.
Researchers published safety and efficacy data for a novel nusinersen drug delivery method via subcutaneous intrathecal catheter system (SIC) for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients. The study found improvements in arm and hand function, but no significant changes in motor scales or muscle force.
A first-in-human study at Cleveland Clinic found that targeting the dentate nucleus with deep brain stimulation was safe and feasible for promoting post-stroke rehabilitation, enabling significant functional improvement in upper extremity hemiparesis. The study's adaptive design allowed for extended treatment duration if patients conti...
Researchers have developed a new interface technology that can provide natural sensory feedback from robotic prosthetics to amputees, reducing abnormal sensations and cognitive burden. The innovation uses ultra-small recording sites and molecular guidance cues to stimulate sensory axons selectively, improving control of robotic limbs.
Researchers created a bionic arm that combines intuitive motor control with touch and hand movement sensation, enabling wearers to think and behave like a person without an amputation. The system's bi-directional feedback and control allowed study participants to perform tasks with similar accuracy as non-disabled people.
Researchers at UTHealth found that exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation can be beneficial for stroke survivors, correcting impaired walking patterns and increasing motor coordination. The study used the Ekso 1.1 exoskeleton to guide patients with chronic post-stroke hemiplegia or hemiparesis in a 10-15 session training program over thre...
Anjana Bhat is studying the prevalence and relationship of motor problems in children with ASD. Her research aims to alter the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders definition of ASD by including motor impairments.
Researchers found that pituitary hormone ß-endorphin and Arg-vasopressin contribute to movement impairments on the opposite side of the body after a brain injury. Blocking these hormones may help treat movement problems following stroke or injury, targeting left and right sides differently.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel technique to study the neuroscience of motor control in mice by focusing on their tongue movements. This approach reveals similarities between mouse tongue movement and primate reach tasks, allowing for new insights into motor control and potential applications in understanding n...
A study by the University of Basel found that exercise training helps improve motor skills in children born prematurely, leading to better impulse control and reduced behavioral problems. This targeted training may also reduce cognitive limitations, providing essential support for these children as they grow into teenagers.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation confirmed that spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation results in immediate and long-lasting gains in strength, sensibility, and voluntary motor function. The study showed significant improvements in upper extremity and hand function, including a 283.4% increase in bilateral handgrip force.
Researchers develop robots that mimic human appearance, perception, and control systems to create more advanced androids. Robots can also experience sensations like touch and pain, and learn from humans through observation and feedback mechanisms.
A light-weight, wirelessly controlled brain stimulator has been developed to treat cerebral infarction using wearable wireless ultrasound devices. The device significantly improved motor functions in a rat stroke model, paving the way for non-invasive neurorehabilitation therapy.
Researchers from India and the UK developed a new brain-computer interface that uses EEG signals to control a robot arm with reduced positional error. The system achieves this by utilizing the P300 signal, which allows the robotic arm to make finer adjustments and reduce errors.
Researchers found that people born without upper limbs who use their feet to reach engage the same brain area as those with hands, revealing a higher-level motor function. This discovery advances basic science and offers potential clinical advances in improving limb prostheses.
Scientists have discovered that spinal modules in macaques can independently control forelimb force direction and magnitude, offering new insights into movement disorders and potential recovery methods. This finding, known as the 'spinal motor module hypothesis,' has significant implications for robotics and clinical medicine.
A $2.5 million Simons Foundation grant is supporting an international collaboration of neuroscientists to develop new tools for studying brain control over behavior across species, from songbirds to rats. The project aims to create a framework for understanding motor agility in any species or behavior.
A new study in mice reveals that a specific group of neurons in the brainstem control the direction of walking movements by applying the 'brake' to one side of the body. This discovery has significant implications for understanding motor disorders and could lead to new treatments.
Early alcohol exposure affects motor control brain regions in monkeys, and may be detectable via non-invasive in utero MRI. The study suggests that diagnostic tools for fetal alcohol syndrome could be developed as early as the third trimester.
Researchers successfully implanted an artificial neural connection, enabling a paralyzed animal's new cortical site to regain voluntary control of its hand. The study also shows that this technology can impart motor control functions to previously unassociated areas of the cerebral cortex.