Corticospinal Control of Sensorimotor Synergies in Health and Disease.

这一建议解决了如何克服肌肉激活和运动障碍的根本问题 中风等神经损伤后的协调能力。我们的目标是了解所有人之间的互动动态 层次结构级别。我们的目标是确定信号的产生和初级生物之间的相互作用 运动皮质(ML)和脊髓(SC)神经网络用于控制粗略和精细运动并绘制图表 卒中后ML的功能重组。我们的中心假设是相对贡献和 控制功能肌群的ML和SC机制之间的相互作用的等级 运动的协同效应将取决于运动所需的灵巧性。 为此，将从执行从基本的、刻板印象的任务的大鼠那里获得数据 运动等行为转变为更复杂、更灵活的行为，如在水平梯子上行走 具有不对称的横档位置和伸展动作。在目标1中，我们将在 用硬膜外电极在脊髓水平双侧植入微电极阵列的皮质水平 在颈椎增大上排列，并在外周系统中使用肌肉内电极。的活动 单个神经元和局部场电位将在它们对控制脑电活动的贡献的背景下进行研究。 马达协同效应。ML、脊髓通路和感觉反馈机制之间的组织将是 通过对皮质和外周通路的配对刺激进行检查。在目标2中，我们将研究这些 可逆性闭塞皮质损伤后皮质脊髓机制的重组和恢复 大脑中动脉。 这项拟议的研究将揭示不同水平的 动物在短暂性卒中前后的控制等级。这项基础工作将有助于发展 恢复功能的策略，改善对称步态和灵巧性，超越内在恢复 马达控制系统的性能。这些研究的结果将被用于加强神经假体 为患有运动障碍的患者恢复功能的技术。

This proposal addresses the fundamental question of how to overcome disruption of muscle activation and coordination after neural injury such as stroke. Our goal is to understand interaction dynamics among all hierarchical levels. Our objectives are to determine signal generation and interactions between primary motor cortex (Ml) and spinal cord (SC) nehworks for the control of gross and fine movements and to chart the functional reorganization of Ml after stroke. Our central hypothesis is that the relative contribution and the hierarchy of interactions between Ml and SC mechanisms for the control of functional muscle groups or motor synergies will depend on the required dexterity of movement. For this purpose, data will be obtained from rats performing tasks that range from basic, stereotypical behaviors such as locomotion to more complex, dexterous behaviors such as walking on horizontal ladders with asymmetric rung position and reaching movements. In Aim 1, we will probe the neural system at the cortical level with microelectrode arrays implanted bilaterally in Ml, at the spinal level with epidural electrode array over cervical enlargement, and in the peripheral system with intramuscular electrodes. The activity of single neurons and local field potential will be examined in the context of their contribution to the control of motor synergies. The organization between Ml, spinal pathways and sensory feedback mechanisms will be examined with paired stimulation of cortical and peripheral pathways. In Aim 2, we will study how these corticospinal mechanisms reorganize and recover after a focal cortical damage by the reversible occlusion of middle cerebral artery. The proposed studies will reveal fundamental neural mechanisms of interactions between different levels of control hierarchy in animals before and after transient stroke. This ground work will help to develop strategies to restore functionality that improves symmetric gait and dexterity beyond intrinsic recovery capabilities of the motor control system. Results from these studies will be used to enhance neuroprosthetic technologies that restore function to patients who suffer motor dysfunction.