Asymmetric robotic gait training and asymmetric reaching training to induce both

描述(由申请人提供)：考生的博士工作重点是Lokomat机器人步态训练设备，并测量患者在该设备训练过程中施加的实际力量。作为一名博士后，他目前正在研究一种啮齿动物机器人步态训练设备在颈髓损伤后恢复地面活动的能力，以及中枢神经系统对训练的潜在可塑性。在人类和动物机器人步态训练器中，训练包括积极引导肢体通过对称的健康步态模式。作为一名独立研究人员，候选人建议研究不同的训练模式，特别是在非对称力场中的训练，以找到最优的机器人训练。非对称训练也可以应用于其他任务，如熟练接触。因此，候选人打算证明，与传统的对称训练相比，移动和伸展的不对称训练将在各种任务中导致更大的功能改善和更大的神经元可塑性。通过在动物模型中发现最佳训练技术，临床训练实践可能会得到改善。 公共卫生相关性：在神经损伤后，体育锻炼长期以来一直是临床医生青睐的治疗方案。不幸的是，临床实践并不总是具有适当的动物研究背景，动物模型中的实验结果并不总是进入临床环境。拟议的项目旨在通过首先优化啮齿动物模型中的机器人跑步机训练来弥合这一差距，这将有助于最大限度地提高患者的机器人跑步机训练。然后，通过应用不对称训练的临床技术，候选人的目标是提高颈脊髓损伤后啮齿动物熟练前肢训练的有效性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The candidate's PhD work focused on the Lokomat robotic gait training device and measuring the actual forces that patients exerted during training in this device. As a postdoc he is currently investigating the ability of a rodent robotic gait training device to restore over ground locomotion following cervical spinal cord injury and the underlying plasticity of the central nervous system in response to the training. In both human and animal robotic gait trainers, the training consists of actively guiding the limbs through a symmetric healthy gait pattern. As an independent researcher the candidate proposes to study different training patterns, specifically training within asymmetric force fields, in order to findthe optimal robotic training. Asymmetric training can also be applied to other tasks, such as skilled reaching. Therefore, the candidate intends to show that the asymmetric training of both locomotion and reaching will lead to greater functional improvements in a variety of tasks and greater neuronal plasticity than the conventional symmetric training. By uncovering the optimal training techniques in animal models, clinical training practices may then be improved. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Following neurological injury, physical training has long been a favored treatment option among clinicians. Unfortunately, clinical practices are not always justified with the appropriate background animal research and experimental findings in animal models do not always make their way into the clinical setting. The proposed project aims to bridge this gap by first optimizing robotic treadmill training in rodent models, which would help maximize the robotic treadmill training of patients. Then by applying clinical techniques of asymmetric training, the candidate aims to increase the effectiveness of skilled forelimb training of rodents following a cervical spinal cord injury.