The long-term goal of this project is to improve understanding of how the nervous system selects and executes individuated finger movements. Individuated movements are the first lost and last recovered when neurologic lesions affect the motor cortex or corticospinal tract. The resulting motor deficits impair use of the hand and fingers in everyday tasks. The present application proposes to examine the role of synchrony among primary motor cortex neurons in the learning and performance of skilled finger movements. Studies will focus on changes in synchrony in three, inter-related situations: 1) changes that relate to long-term training at a repertoire of skilled finger movements, 2) changes that depend on which particular movements are performed, and 3) changes that occur when a skilled subject attempts a novel movement. Such changes in synchrony could enable the nervous system to more efficiently activate the varied combinations of muscles needed for execution of skilled movements. Multiple neuron recording and spike-triggered averaging of electromyographic activity will be used together to examine synchrony both between pairs of motor cortex neurons, and among larger ensembles of neurons that provide inputs to spinal motoneuron pools. The proposed studies will address the following specific questions: 1) What is the time course of the increase in synchrony over long-term training? 2) Does synchrony occur during only a subset of finger movements or task time periods? 3) Do patterns of synchrony change when a fully trained subject practices a novel movement? 4) Does synchrony occur predominantly in corticospinal or non-corticospinal primary motor cortex neurons?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37NS027686-16
Application #
6910895
Study Section
Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience 8 (IFCN)
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
1989-09-29
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2005-07-01
Budget End
2006-06-30
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$368,600
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
041294109
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
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