Influence of altered sensory input and Cortical Asymmetry on Movement Induced Plasticity

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My research is focused on understanding differences in neural plasticity when motor skill acquisition occurs in the presence of altered sensory inputs, and how lateralization of brain function and hand preference factor into this. Adaptive (beneficial) plasticity enhances motor learning and performance; while maladaptive (harmful) plasticity leads to faulty movement patterns, decreasing speed and accuracy of motor performance, and creating the potential for injury. In occupational, recreational or sporting contexts, we are often learning new motor skills while extraneous sensory stimuli such as vibration or pain are present. This Discovery Grant addresses how altered sensory inputs such as pain, influence whether movement induced plasticity is adaptive or maladaptive. Hand dominance or laterality is a model of lifelong use-dependent plasticity and this research also seeks to understand how motor control differences between the Dominant (Dom) and non-dominant (NonDom) limbs influences the potential for adaptive or maladaptive plasticity in response to motor training My long term goal is to advance our fundamental understanding of the factors that influence motor training induced plasticity. My short term objectives are: 1) explore the neural mechanisms by which altered sensory input during motor acquisition tasks leads to either enhanced or impaired sensorimotor plasticity; 2) Compare sensorimotor responses of the Dom and NonDom limbs when task requirements are manipulated to favour either predictive or impedance control of limb dynamics 3) Determine whether there are differences between the Dom and NonDom limbs when motor sequence acquisition takes place in the presence of pain. Novelty and Impact: My innovative approach will advance our understanding of how sensory disruptions during motor training either enhance or interfere with use-dependent plasticity. This is fundamental knowledge because we are often learning new motor skills while extraneous sensory stimuli such as vibration or pain are present. In our modern world, technology use has meant that we are constantly called upon to master novel motor skills, and often we are called upon to use both hands. It is critical to understand hemispheric differences in neural mechanisms of motor skill acquisition so that advances in technology design lead to adaptive plasticity rather than to maladaptive plasticity and injury. Investigating factors which may contribute to our capacity for adaptive plasticity is critical in this era of modern technology use, and has important implications for both ergonomics and rehabilitation.