CORTICAL CONTROL OF THE FINGERS IN HUMANS [ 2001 - 2003 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: A/Pr Michael Nordstrom (Principal investigator)

Brief description I will use non-invasive brain stimulation to study the operation of the corticospinal pathway in humans while they perform tasks requiring precise control of fingers and thumb. This pathway from brain to spinal cord is important for independent finger movements, and these experiments will provide insight into the cortical mechanisms by which independent finger movements are produced. I will also investigate relationships between patterns of corticospinal activation (which I have shown differ between subjects and hands) and digital dexterity. While it seems reasonable to assume that digital dexterity is dependent on the operation of the corticospinal system, the relationship is obscure, even at a gross level. Digital dexterity can vary considerably between subjects, and even between hands in the same subject. Are people more skilled with their hands because they are better able to engage the corticospinal system in control of the digits? The present study will address this fundamental question. The brain stimulation techniques that I will use are the only techniques presently available which can answer these questions in humans. This information will assist us to understand how normal subjects perform skilled tasks with their hands, as well as helping us to understand how damage to the nervous system (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease) produces deficits in movement control. The information gained may suggest training regimes for skill acquisition in normal subjects, and to promote recovery of function in patients with neurological damage or disease.

Funding Amount $AUD 196,018.36

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant