9511814 Kuo The goal of this research project is to understand how the human brain puts together thousands of pieces of information from sensors throughout the body, such as eyes, the inner ear, and receptors in joints and muscles, to form a picture of where the limbs are and how they are moving. This information is used for planning and control of movement. It is a process that the brain carries out subconsciously; it is critically important for proper balance, to keep up from falling; it provides athletes with the ability to move fluidly and skillfully and allows seamen and astronauts to adjust movements to their new environments. The approach used in this study is to integrate techniques from two scientific fields. Physiological studies describe how signals are produced by the sensors and define the places in the brain where these signals are transmitted. Control engineering describes how signals of many types can be used to perform a useful task. In this project, physiologists and control engineers will work together to examine the differences in balance control in astronauts before and after spaceflight. The adaptations that take place during spaceflight make it possible to determine some of the factors that are and are not relevant to control of moment and, therefore, to explain some of the basic mechanisms underlying control of movement.
