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Neural coupling of bilateral hand movements: Re-organization in subjects with impaired motor control systems?
This project aims to explore the influence of neuromotor disorders on the neural coupling during bimanual hand movements.
Keywords: motor control; motor learning; bimanual hand movements; neural coupling; neurophysiology
This project is based on the knowledge that bilateral cooperative hand movements (e.g. opening a bottle) are based on a neural coupling (Dietz et al. 2015). Meanwhile we discovered that the corrective reactions to a unilateral displacement appear on both sides and with the same amplitude during bilateral movements (Thomas et al. 2018). These observations imply that not only contralateral but also ipsilateral hemispheres are involved in the control of bimanual hand movements. Further studies indicated that most bimanual movements used during daily life activities are coupled, i.e. performed in synchrony. Furthermore, we recently found that while hand movements are coupled, bilateral finger movements (e.g. playing piano) are not.
This project will further explore the influence of neural coupling on bilateral hand movements in patients suffering from a movement disorder (e.g. cerebellar dysmetria, or extrapyramidal disease). It is of basic interest to evaluate which parts of the motor systems (cerebellum, basal ganglia) are involved in the neural coupling mechanism. The following research questions will be explored: 1. To what extent is the neural coupling removed in patients suffering a cerebellar disease. Can it be restored by training of bilateral synchronous hand movements. 2. Is there a difference in the neural coupling between young and elderly people and patients with Parkinson’s disease?
This project is based on the knowledge that bilateral cooperative hand movements (e.g. opening a bottle) are based on a neural coupling (Dietz et al. 2015). Meanwhile we discovered that the corrective reactions to a unilateral displacement appear on both sides and with the same amplitude during bilateral movements (Thomas et al. 2018). These observations imply that not only contralateral but also ipsilateral hemispheres are involved in the control of bimanual hand movements. Further studies indicated that most bimanual movements used during daily life activities are coupled, i.e. performed in synchrony. Furthermore, we recently found that while hand movements are coupled, bilateral finger movements (e.g. playing piano) are not.
This project will further explore the influence of neural coupling on bilateral hand movements in patients suffering from a movement disorder (e.g. cerebellar dysmetria, or extrapyramidal disease). It is of basic interest to evaluate which parts of the motor systems (cerebellum, basal ganglia) are involved in the neural coupling mechanism. The following research questions will be explored: 1. To what extent is the neural coupling removed in patients suffering a cerebellar disease. Can it be restored by training of bilateral synchronous hand movements. 2. Is there a difference in the neural coupling between young and elderly people and patients with Parkinson’s disease?
The aim of this project is to explore to what extent the neural coupling is impaired in patients with a motor system disorder, e.g. a cerebellar disease, as well as which factors can influence the neural coupling mechanism in subjects with defects of the motor system.
The aim of this project is to explore to what extent the neural coupling is impaired in patients with a motor system disorder, e.g. a cerebellar disease, as well as which factors can influence the neural coupling mechanism in subjects with defects of the motor system.
The technical task in this project consists of recordings of electrical muscle activity (electromyography) and reflex responses to non-noxious arm nerve stimulations by surface electrodes placed over the skin of both forearms during various synchronous and asynchronous hand movements. These recordings have to be evaluated and analyzed. The learning effects can be assessed by the calculation of a relationship between movement performance and strength of neural coupling.
The technical task in this project consists of recordings of electrical muscle activity (electromyography) and reflex responses to non-noxious arm nerve stimulations by surface electrodes placed over the skin of both forearms during various synchronous and asynchronous hand movements. These recordings have to be evaluated and analyzed. The learning effects can be assessed by the calculation of a relationship between movement performance and strength of neural coupling.
Master thesis project in Health Sciences and Technology
Master thesis project in Health Sciences and Technology
Prof. em. Dr Volker Dietz, FRCP, FEAN University Hospital Balgrist,
volker.dietz@balgrist.ch
Prof. Dr Roger Gassert roger.gassert@hest.ethz.ch, Advisor ETHZ
Prof. em. Dr Volker Dietz, FRCP, FEAN University Hospital Balgrist, volker.dietz@balgrist.ch Prof. Dr Roger Gassert roger.gassert@hest.ethz.ch, Advisor ETHZ