Abstract The concept of a temporal integration process in the timing mechanisms in the brain, postulated on the basis of experimental observations from various paradigms (for a review see P$oUppel, 1978), has been explored in a sensorimotor synchronization task. Subjects synchronized their finger taps to sequences of auditory stimuli with interstimulus-onset intervals (ISIs) between 300 and 4800 msec in different trials. Each tonal sequence consisted of 110 stimuli; the tones had a frequency of 500 Hz and a duration of 100 msec. As observed previously, response onsets preceded onsets of the stimuli by some tens of milliseconcls for ISIs in the range from about 600 to 1800 msec. For ISIs longer than or equal to 2400 msec, the ability to time the response sequence in such a way that the response 5 were placed right ahead of the stimuli started to break clown, i.e., the task was fulfilled by reactions to the stimuli rather than by advanced responses. This observation can he understood within the general framework of a temporal integration puce 55 that is supposed to have a maximal capacity (integration interval) of approximately 3 sec. Only if successive stimuli fall within one integration period, can motor programs be initiated properly by a prior stimulus and thus lead to an appropriate synchronization between the stimulus sequence and corresponding motor acts.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Body ownership is critically dependent on multimodal integration as for instance revealed in the Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) and a number of studies which have addressed the neural correlates of the processes underlying this phenomenon. Both experimental and clinical research have shown that the structures underlying body ownership seem to significantly overlap with those of motor control including the parietal and ventral premotor cortices, Temporal Parietal Junction (TPJ) and the insula. This raises the question of whether this structural overlap between body ownership and motor control structures is of any functional significance. Here, we investigate the specific question of whether experimentally induced ownership over a virtual limb can modulate the performance of that limb in a simple sensorimotor task. Using a Virtual reality (VR) environment we modulate body ownership in three experimental conditions with respect to the (in)congruence of stimulus configurations. Our results show that the degree of ownership directly modulates motor performance. This implies that body ownership is not exclusively a perceptual and/or subjective multimodal state but that it is tightly coupled to systems for decision-making and motor control.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hmatová percepce * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pohybová aktivita * MeSH
• psychomotorický výkon * MeSH
• rozhodování * MeSH
• senzorimotorický kortex fyziologie   MeSH
• virtuální realita MeSH
• zraková percepce * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Peripheral afferent input is critical for human motor control and motor learning. Both skin and deep muscle mechanoreceptors can affect motor behaviour when stimulated. Whereas some modalities such as vibration have been employed for decades to alter cutaneous and proprioceptive input, both experimentally and therapeutically, the central effects of mechanical pressure stimulation have been studied less frequently. This discrepancy is especially striking when considering the limited knowledge of the neurobiological principles of frequently used physiotherapeutic techniques that utilise peripheral stimulation, such as reflex locomotion therapy. Our review of the available literature pertaining to pressure stimulation focused on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neuroimaging studies, including both experimental studies in healthy subjects and clinical trials. Our search revealed a limited number of neuroimaging papers related to peripheral pressure stimulation and no evidence of effects on cortical excitability. In general, the majority of imaging studies agreed on the significant involvement of cortical motor areas during the processing of pressure stimulation. Recent data also point to the specific role of subcortical structures, such as putamen or brainstem reticular formation. A thorough comparison of the published results often demonstrated, however, major inconsistencies which are thought to be due to variable stimulation protocols and statistical power. In conclusion, localised peripheral sustained pressure is a potent stimulus inducing changes in cortical activation within sensory and motor areas. Despite historical evidence for modulation of motor behaviour, no direct link can be established based on available fMRI and electrophysiological data. We highlight the limited amount of research devoted to this stimulus modality, emphasise current knowledge gaps, present recent developments in the field and accentuate evidence awaiting replication or confirmation in future neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies.

• Klíčová slova
• Vojta reflex locomotion therapy, neurorehabilitation, pressure stimulation, sensorimotor integration, somatosensory system,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• motorické poruchy terapie   MeSH
• neurologické poruchy chůze terapie   MeSH
• pohybová aktivita fyziologie   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• somatosenzorické korové centrum fyziologie   MeSH
• techniky fyzikální terapie * MeSH
• tlak * MeSH
• transkraniální magnetická stimulace metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

This study investigates the role of the dorsal/sensorimotor striatum in visuomotor integration (i.e., the transformation of internal visual information about letter shapes into motor output) during handwriting. Twenty healthy participants underwent fMRI scanning with tasks consisting of self-paced handwriting of alphabetically ordered single letters and simple dots, with both tasks performed without visual feedback. Functional connectivity (FC) from these two tasks was compared to demonstrate the difference between coordinated activity arising during handwriting and the activity during a simpler motor condition. Our study focused upon the writing-specific cortico-striatal network of preselected regions of interest consisting of the visual word form area (VWFA), anterior intraparietal sulcus/superior parietal lobule, striatum, premotor cortex/Exner's area, and primary and supplementary motor regions. We observed systematically increased task-induced cortico-striatal and cortico-cortical FC. This increased synchronization of neural activity between the VWFA, i.e., the visual cortical area containing information about letter shapes, and the frontoparietal motor regions is mediated by the striatum. These findings suggest the involvement of the striatum in integrating stored letter-shape information with motor planning and execution during handwriting.

• Klíčová slova
• Basal ganglia, Functional connectivity, Handwriting, Striatum, Visuomotor integration, fMRI,
• MeSH
• corpus striatum diagnostické zobrazování   fyziologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mozková kůra diagnostické zobrazování   fyziologie   MeSH
• nervová síť diagnostické zobrazování   fyziologie   MeSH
• pohybová aktivita fyziologie   MeSH
• psaní rukou * MeSH
• psychomotorický výkon fyziologie   MeSH
• rozpoznávání obrazu fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Studies in the sensorimotor system of older versus young individuals have shown alterations in functional connectivity and organization. Our objective was to explore the implications of these differences in terms of local organizations, and to identify processes that correlate with neuropsychological parameters. METHODS: Using a novel multivariate analysis method on resting-state functional MRI data obtained from 50 young and 31 older healthy individuals, we identified directed 4-node functional pathways within the sensorimotor system and examined their correlations with neuropsychological assessments. RESULTS: In young individuals, the functional pathways were unidirectional, flowing from the primary motor and sensory cortices to higher motor and visual regions. In older individuals, the functional pathways were more complex. They originated either from the calcarine sulcus or the insula and passed through mutually coupled high-order motor areas before reaching the primary sensory and motor cortices. Additionally, the pathways in older individuals that resembled those found in young individuals exhibited a positive correlation with years of education. DISCUSSION: The flow pattern of young individuals suggests efficient and fast information transfer. In contrast, the mutual coupling of high-order motor regions in older individuals suggests an inefficient and slow transfer, a less segregated and a more integrated organization. The differences in the number of sensorimotor pathways and of their directionality suggests reduced efferent degenerated pathways and increased afferent compensated pathways. Furthermore, the positive effect of years of education may be associated with the Cognitive Reserve Hypothesis, implying that cognitive reserve could be maintained through specific information transfer pathways.

• Klíčová slova
• aging, dedifferentiation, functional connectivity, multivariate analysis, neuropsychological tests, the impaired GABA theory,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

When subjects are asked to tap in synchrony to a regular sequence of stimulus events (e.g., clicks), performance is not perfect in that, usually, an anticipation of the tap is observed. The present study examines the influence of temporally displaced auditory feedback on the size of this anticipatory error. Whereas earlier studies have shown that this asynchrony exhibits a linear increase in size as a function of an increasing delay in such additional auditory feedback, this study compared the impact of shifting feedback forward in time (i.e., feedback presented before the tap) with that of delayed auditory feedback. Results showed that the impact of feedback displacement on the amount of asynchrony differed for positive and negative displacements. Delayed feedback led to an increase in asynchrony, whereas negative displacements had (almost) no effect. This finding is related to a model assuming that the various feedback components arising from the tap (tactile, kinesthetic, auditory) are integrated to form one central representation, and that the timing of this central representation arises from a linear combination of the components involved.

• MeSH
• akustická stimulace * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hmat MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• proaktivní inhibice MeSH
• psychologické modely MeSH
• psychomotorický výkon fyziologie   MeSH
• reaktivní inhibice MeSH
• zpětná vazba * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Three levels of sensorimotor control within the central nervous system (CNS) can be distinguished. During the neonatal stage, general movements and primitive reflexes are controlled at the spinal and brain stem levels. Analysis of the newborn's spontaneous general movements and the assessment of primitive reflexes is crucial in the screening and early recognition of a risk for abnormal development. Following the newborn period, the subcortical level of the CNS motor control emerges and matures mainly during the first year of life. This allows for basic trunk stabilization, a prerequisite for any phasic movement and for the locomotor function of the extremities. At the subcortical level, orofacial muscles and afferent information are automatically integrated within postural-locomotor patterns. Finally, the cortical (the highest) level of motor control increasingly becomes activated. Cortical control is important for the individual qualities and characteristics of movement. It also allows for isolated segmental movement and relaxation. A child with impaired cortical motor control may be diagnosed with developmental dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder. Human ontogenetic models, i.e., developmental motor patterns, can be used in both the diagnosis and treatment of locomotor system dysfunction.

• Klíčová slova
• Developmental dyspraxia, Developmental kinesiology, Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization, General movements, Postural stabilization, Primitive reflexes, Sensorimotor control,
• MeSH
• apraxie diagnóza   MeSH
• kineziologie aplikovaná * MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• muskuloskeletální vývoj fyziologie   MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• novorozenecký screening metody   MeSH
• pohyb fyziologie   MeSH
• postura těla fyziologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senzorická zpětná vazba fyziologie   MeSH
• vývoj dítěte fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: The application of rehabilitation robots has grown during the last decade. While meta-analyses have shown beneficial effects of robotic interventions for some patient groups, the evidence is less in others. We established the Advanced Robotic Therapy Integrated Centers (ARTIC) network with the goal of advancing the science and clinical practice of rehabilitation robotics. The investigators hope to exploit variations in practice to learn about current clinical application and outcomes. The aim of this paper is to introduce the ARTIC network to the clinical and research community, present the initial data set and its characteristics and compare the outcome data collected so far with data from prior studies. METHODS: ARTIC is a pragmatic observational study of clinical care. The database includes patients with various neurological and gait deficits who used the driven gait orthosis Lokomat® as part of their treatment. Patient characteristics, diagnosis-specific information, and indicators of impairment severity are collected. Core clinical assessments include the 10-Meter Walk Test and the Goal Attainment Scaling. Data from each Lokomat® training session are automatically collected. RESULTS: At time of analysis, the database contained data collected from 595 patients (cerebral palsy: n = 208; stroke: n = 129; spinal cord injury: n = 93; traumatic brain injury: n = 39; and various other diagnoses: n = 126). At onset, average walking speeds were slow. The training intensity increased from the first to the final therapy session and most patients achieved their goals. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of the patients matched epidemiological data for the target populations. When patient characteristics differed from epidemiological data, this was mainly due to the selection criteria used to assess eligibility for Lokomat® training. While patients included in randomized controlled interventional trials have to fulfill many inclusion and exclusion criteria, the only selection criteria applying to patients in the ARTIC database are those required for use of the Lokomat®. We suggest that the ARTIC network offers an opportunity to investigate the clinical application and effectiveness of rehabilitation technologies for various diagnoses. Due to the standardization of assessments and the use of a common technology, this network could serve as a basis for researchers interested in specific interventional studies expanding beyond the Lokomat®.

• MeSH
• databáze jako téma organizace a řízení   MeSH
• exoskeleton * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurologické poruchy chůze rehabilitace   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The ability to execute several actions in a specific temporal order to achieve an overarching goal, a process often termed action cascading or multi-component behavior, is essential for everyday life requirements. We are only at the beginning to understand the neurobiological mechanisms important for these cognitive processes. However, it is likely that the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system may be of importance. In the current study we examine the relevance of the LC-NE system for action cascading processes using a system neurophysiological approach combining high-density EEG recordings and source localization to analyze event-related potentials (ERPs) with recordings of pupil diameter as a proximate of LC-NE system activity. N=25 healthy participants performed an action cascading stop-change paradigm. Integrating ERPs and pupil diameter using Pearson correlations, the results show that the LC-NE system is important for processes related to multi-component behavior. However, the LC-NE system does not seem to be important during the time period of response selection processes during multi-component behavior (reflected in the P3) as well as during perceptual and attentional selection (P1 and N1 ERPs). Rather, it seems that the neurophysiological processes in the fore period of a possibly upcoming imperative stimulus to initiate multi-component behavior are correlated with the LC-NE system. It seems that the LC-NE system facilitates responses to task-relevant processes and supports task-related decision and response selection processes by preparing cognitive control processes in case these are required during multi-component behavior rather than modulating these processes once they are operating.

• Klíčová slova
• Cognitive control, EEG, Executive function, Pupil, Sensorimotor integration, Source localization, Vegetative factors,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• elektroencefalografie MeSH
• evokované potenciály MeSH
• exekutivní funkce fyziologie   MeSH
• inhibice (psychologie) * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• locus coeruleus fyziologie   MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• noradrenalin fyziologie   MeSH
• pozornost fyziologie   MeSH
• psychomotorický výkon MeSH
• pupila fyziologie   MeSH
• reakční čas MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• noradrenalin MeSH

Touch is one of the primary communication tools. Interestingly, the sensation of touch can also be experienced when observed in another person. Due to the system of mirror neurons, it is, in fact, being mapped on the somatosensory cortex of the observer. This phenomenon can be triggered not only by observing touch in another individual, but also by a mirror reflection of the contralateral limb. Our study aims to evaluate and localize changes in the intracerebral source activity via sLORETA imaging during the haptic stimulation of hands, while modifying this contact by a mirror illusion. A total of 10 healthy volunteers aged 23-42 years attended the experiment. The electrical brain activity was detected via scalp EEG. First, we registered the brain activity during resting state with open and with closed eyes, each for 5 min. Afterwards, the subjects were seated at a table with a mirror reflecting their left hand and occluding their right hand. The EEG was then recorded in 2 min sequencies during four modifications of the experiment (haptic contact on both hands, stimulation of the left hand only, right hand only and without any tactile stimuli). We randomized the order of the modifications for each participant. The obtained EEG data were converted into the sLORETA program and evaluated statistically at the significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The subjective experience of all the participants was registered using a survey. A statistically significant difference in source brain activity occurred during all four modifications of our experiment in the beta-2, beta-3 and delta frequency bands, resulting in the activation of 10 different Brodmann areas varying by modification. The results suggest that the summation of stimuli secured by interpersonal haptic contact modified by mirror illusion can activate the brain areas integrating motor, sensory and cognitive functions and further areas related to communication and understanding processes, including the mirror neuron system. We believe these findings may have potential for therapy.

• Klíčová slova
• Brodmann areas, EEG, haptic contact, mirror neurons, mirror therapy, neuroplasticity, sLORETA, sensorimotor, touch,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH