Forebrain control of locomotion
Many of behaviors in humans and
animals are expressed as different kinds of locomotion movements: walking,
jogging, dancing, swimming, etc. On the one hand, locomotion is a highly
automatic movement. The neural mechanisms, which determine the order of
muscular contractions and the coordination of limb movements during locomotion
resides in the spinal cord. On the other hand, the spinal mechanism lacks the
distant information about the outside world and the information about the
purpose of locomotion. However, the basic pattern of locomotion may have
numerous volitional variations, which allow for adaptations to the
peculiarities of the environment and to the changing needs of a subject. This
is possible due to the involvement of the higher brain motor centers. For
example, when walking in natural habitats, humans and animals must control the
transfer and placement of their feet precisely in order to avoid obstacles and
irregularities. It is the activity of supraspinal,
higher brain centers that modifies locomotion based on visual information.
The overall aim of this project of Dr. Beloozerova is to understand the neuronal mechanisms of the
forebrain that are involved in adaptation of locomotion to the visually
perceived features of the environment.
In
our experiments, we test subjects during simple over-ground walking on an even
surface when locomotion can proceed successfully even in dark or with closed
eyes and during walking along a horizontal ladder where vision is required for
an accurate foot placement on the cross-pieces. We record kinematics and
dynamic parameters of limbs, head, and body movements, the activity of limb
muscles, and the neuronal activity of motor and parietal cortices, and motor
thalamus. We then compare body mechanics, the activity of muscles, and the activity of brain areas in these two tasks and reveal the
parameters, which are associated specifically with stepping under visual
control.
In the analysis of biomechanics of
complex locomotion behaviors we collaborate with the laboratory
of Dr. Prilutsky at the Georgia Institute of
Technology, Atlanta, GA. Together we conduct experiments in Phoenix during
which we record whole-body kinematics and dynamics of subjects while they walk
along a cluttered pathway, along series of elevated platforms, or along a
narrow strip. We also record the activity of the motor region of the cerebral
cortex the same time. Some of these measurements are then repeated in
Brad
Farrell from the Georgia Institute of Technology has actively participated
in these studies for about 2.5 years since he was an undergraduate student. In
the fall of 2006, Brad has started his graduate studies in the PhD program of
the
Our studies of the forebrain control of
locomotion lead to a better understanding of neuronal mechanisms of the
forebrain for control of visually guided locomotion. The results may have
significant clinical applications. In forebrain stroke patients, selection of
rehabilitation strategies for locomotion deficits depends largely on
understanding the role of direct forebrain control of locomotion in relation to
spinal mechanisms.
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