Kinematics in the brain: unmasking motor control strategies?

Abstract

In rhythmical movement performance, our brain has to sustain movement while correcting for biological noise-induced variability. Here, we explored the functional anatomy of brain networks during voluntary rhythmical elbow flexion/extension using kinematic movement regressors in fMRI analysis to verify the interest of method to address motor control in a neurological population. We found the expected systematic activation of the primary sensorimotor network that is suggested to generate the rhythmical movement. By adding the kinematic regressors to the model, we demonstrated the potential involvement of cerebellar–frontal circuits as a function of the irregularity of the variability of the movement and the primary sensory cortex in relation to the trajectory length during task execution. We suggested that different functional brain networks were related to two different aspects of rhythmical performance: rhythmicity and error control. Concerning the latter, the partitioning between more automatic control involving cerebellar–frontal circuits versus less automatic control involving the sensory cortex seemed thereby crucial for optimal performance. Our results highlight the potential of using co-registered fine-grained kinematics and fMRI measures to interpret functional MRI activations and to potentially unmask the organisation of neural correlates during motor control.

Forward to Bernstein: Movement Complexity as a New Frontier

“…In spite of considerable progress in research on movement as the indicator of nervous activity (Biryukova, 2011), after a hundred years we know only some biomechanical ranges for very simple rhythmical movements. For instance, analysis of the data of functional magneto-resonance tomography for flexion-extension in the elbow joint demonstrated (1) a correlation between the primary sensory cortex activity and the amplitude of flexion-extension, and (2) a correlation between the neuron net's activity in the cerebellum and frontal lobes and the movement variability (Van Dokkum et al, 2017). Another example of "bottom-up" approach is the study of the representations of dexterous finger movements at the brain areas using a non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).…”

Modified Brain Activations of the Nondamaged Hemisphere During Ipsilesional Upper-Limb Movement in Persons With Initial Severe Motor Deficits Poststroke

“…They were told to move at a comfortable pace and amplitude without entering their hand in the MRI tube, and were instructed to avoid head movements. The protocol was first validated with the healthy control group 15 and subsequently evaluated in a pilot-study, including 6 people chronically poststroke, with various levels of severity.…”

“…These standard analysis procedures have previously been published by our group. 15 The brain activations related to the motor task were evaluated using a general linear model analysis. Realignment parameters were included.…”

“…14 The usability of the task has been previously validated with healthy controls. 15 Based on the holistic point of view, we expect to observe an increased contralesional hemispheric activation following ipsilesional elbow movement. This may result from the disturbed inter-hemispheric balance and possible disrupted ipsilesional descending pathways of the corticospinal tract that together increase the load on the contralesional hemisphere.…”

Postoperative Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures Using Sensorimotor Rehabilitation

“…For those patients that had difficulty with imagination, the therapists encouraged more mirror therapy to try and work on the wrist at a more "automatic" level. 31…”