Dyscoordination of the proximal arm is a malady that can result from several types of diseases including stroke, cerebellar ataxia, and disorders of the basal ganglia. Despite progress in understanding the cellular and genetic basis of these diseases, research gains at the systems level are few, perhaps due to the neural and mechanical complexity of movement disorders. The unique contribution of the proposed work is that it bridges the gap between neuroscience and biomechanics. The proposed experiments will reveal how musculoskeletal constraints dictate optimal neural control strategies.
Specific aim 1 is to test the hypothesis that an optimization of movement dynamics governs the neural control of natural reaching movements. Three experiments involve an analysis of reaching from various initial locations to various target location, coupled with calculations of optimal force-control strategies.
Specific aim 2 is to improve our understanding of the relation between muscle activation and joint torque. Studies of the neural control of reaching have been impeded by a lack of understanding of musculoskeletal mechanics. This problem will be solved by obtaining additional information of muscle mechanics and constructing a model of sufficient detail to test hypothetical neural control strategies. the long-term objective of this work is to understand the complex neuromuscular pattern, produced so naturally by the central nervous system, during daily reaching movements. The issues examined by this basic research are relevant to efforts in rehabilitation from limb paralysis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS027484-09
Application #
2873149
Study Section
Neurology A Study Section (NEUA)
Program Officer
Heetderks, William J
Project Start
1989-08-01
Project End
2002-01-31
Budget Start
1999-02-01
Budget End
2000-01-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
168559177
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Winges, S A; Furuya, S (2015) Distinct digit kinematics by professional and amateur pianists. Neuroscience 284:643-52
Winges, S A (2015) Somatosensory feedback refines the perception of hand shape with respect to external constraints. Neuroscience 293:1-11
Flanders, Martha; Soechting, John F (2015) The vision of Hsiao on somatosensation. J Neurophysiol 113:684-7
Tramper, Julian J; Flanders, Martha (2013) Predictive mechanisms in the control of contour following. Exp Brain Res 227:535-46
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Winges, Sara A; Furuya, Shinichi; Faber, Nathaniel J et al. (2013) Patterns of muscle activity for digital coarticulation. J Neurophysiol 110:230-42
Pesyna, Colin; Pundi, Krishna; Flanders, Martha (2011) Coordination of hand shape. J Neurosci 31:3757-65
Furuya, Shinichi; Flanders, Martha; Soechting, John F (2011) Hand kinematics of piano playing. J Neurophysiol 106:2849-64
Flanders, Martha (2011) What is the biological basis of sensorimotor integration? Biol Cybern 104:1-8
Weiss, Erica J; Flanders, Martha (2011) Somatosensory comparison during haptic tracing. Cereb Cortex 21:425-34

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