Hand Motor Control: Maturing an Immature Science

Motor Control ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly J. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Configuration Theory ◽  
Referent Configuration ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Hand Motor Control

In the target article Mark Latash has argued that there is but a single bona-fide theory for hand motor control (referent configuration theory). If this is true, and research is often phenomenological, then we must admit that the science of hand motor control is immature. While describing observations under varying conditions is a crucial (but early) stage of the science of any field, it is also true that the key to maturing any science is to vigorously subject extant theories and budding laws to critical experimentation. If competing theories are absent at the present time is it time for scientists to focus their efforts on maturing the science of hand motor control through critical testing of this long-standing theory (and related collections of knowledge such as the uncontrolled manifold)?

scholarly journals The Hand: Shall We Ever Understand How It Works?

Motor Control ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L. Latash
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Equilibrium Point ◽  
Neurological Disorder ◽  
Neural Control ◽  
Hierarchical Control ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Human Hand ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold Hypothesis ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Point Control

The target article presents a review of the neural control of the human hand. The review emphasizes the physical approach to motor control. It focuses on such concepts as equilibrium-point control, control with referent body configurations, uncontrolled manifold hypothesis, principle of abundance, hierarchical control, multidigit synergies, and anticipatory synergy adjustments. Changes in aspects of the hand neural control with age and neurological disorder are discussed. The target article is followed by six commentaries written by Alexander Aruin, Kelly Cole, Monica Perez, Robert Sainburg, Marco Sanello, and Wei Zhang.

scholarly journals Movement automaticity as functional variability

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter van Ginneken ◽  
Elmar Kal ◽  
Chris Low ◽  
Jamie Poolton ◽  
Rich Masters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Uncontrolled Manifold ◽  
Internal Focus ◽  
Conscious Control

Functional variability has been suggested to reflect movement automaticity. To test this hypothesis, we used the Uncontrolled Manifold (UCM) approach to operationalize functional variability in darts. We gauged the association between movement automaticity and functional variability in four different ways. First, we investigated whether functional variability was higher in the second half of a throw than in the first half, because the duration of a darts throw is too short for conscious control to intervene. Second, we compared whether functional variability was higher in experts than in novices, because motor control is presumed to be more automatized in experts. Third, we manipulated conscious control via attentional focus instructions, presuming that internal focus instructions result in reduced automaticity, and thus may decrease functional variability. Fourth, we administered the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale (MSRS), which estimates the propensity for conscious control and was therefore expected to be associated with functional variability. In line with the hypotheses, functional variability was higher in the second half than in the first half of darts throws. Furthermore, experts displayed more functional variability than novices. These results suggest that functional variability reflects movement automaticity. However, neither the focus manipulations, nor MSRS scores significantly predicted functional variability. Further study is therefore required to ascertain whether functional variability reflects movement automaticity.

scholarly journals C4orf41 and TTC-15 are mammalian TRAPP components with a role at an early stage in ER-to-Golgi trafficking

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 2083-2093 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. James Scrivens ◽  
Baraa Noueihed ◽  
Nassim Shahrzad ◽  
Sokunthear Hul ◽  
Stephanie Brunet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Binary Interaction ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Novel Proteins ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Interaction Map ◽  
Equivalent Complex

TRAPP is a multisubunit tethering complex implicated in multiple vesicle trafficking steps in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and conserved throughout eukarya, including humans. Here we confirm the role of TRAPPC2L as a stable component of mammalian TRAPP and report the identification of four novel components of the complex: C4orf41, TTC-15, KIAA1012, and Bet3L. Two of the components, KIAA1012 and Bet3L, are mammalian homologues of Trs85p and Bet3p, respectively. The remaining two novel TRAPP components, C4orf41 and TTC-15, have no homologues in S. cerevisiae. With this work, human homologues of all the S. cerevisiae TRAPP proteins, with the exception of the Saccharomycotina-specific subunit Trs65p, have now been reported. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we demonstrate that the novel proteins are bona fide components of human TRAPP and implicate C4orf41 and TTC-15 (which we call TRAPPC11 and TRAPPC12, respectively) in ER-to-Golgi trafficking at a very early stage. We further present a binary interaction map for all known mammalian TRAPP components and evidence that TRAPP oligomerizes. Our data are consistent with the absence of a TRAPP I–equivalent complex in mammalian cells, suggesting that the fundamental unit of mammalian TRAPP is distinct from that characterized in S. cerevisiae.

Assessing Sensorimotor Problems Via Bayesian Theory and Hidden Markov Models

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Baca ◽  
Juan Martinez ◽  
Scott A. King
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Bayesian Statistics ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Graphical Model ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Hidden Markov ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Continuous Assessment ◽  
Main Components

Abstract This work introduces a novel framework that combines Bayesian Statistics for motor control with a probabilistic graphical model to estimate sensorimotor problems. This problem is relevant because as we age, our motor skills tend to decay. A person with this type of problems finds difficult to perform even simple tasks such as walking, cooking, and driving. They become challenging activities due to the alterations to the motor control, which might lead to accidents or injuries. Therefore, the continuous assessment of the sensorimotor functions of a person could help in identifying potential problems at an early stage. This framework aims to provide a substantial estimation of the presence, or absence, of a sensorimotor problem over time. Our strategy is based on the integration of three main components, i.e., data collection during the execution of basic activities via mixed reality, estimation of coordination under uncertainty via Bayesian statistics, and the probability estimation of a sensorimotor problem at different instances of time via hidden Markov model (HMM).

An Easy-to-Use and Fast Assessment of Patient-Specific DBS-Induced Changes in Hand Motor Control in Parkinson’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 2155-2163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Castano-Candamil ◽  
Tobias Piroth ◽  
Peter Reinacher ◽  
Bastian Sajonz ◽  
Volker A. Coenen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Motor Control ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Hand Motor Control

scholarly journals A method of hand motor control assessment in patients with post-stroke spasticity

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-70
Author(s):  
Jolanta Zwolińska ◽  
Mariusz Drużbicki ◽  
Lidia Perenc ◽  
Andrzej Kwolek
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Photometric Method ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Numerical Indicator ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
Ashworth Scale ◽  
Hand Motor Control

Abstract Introduction: In order to assess hand spasticity in post-stroke patients, it is necessary to apply an objective and sensitive method which allows for characterising motor control. It is significant due to the necessity to monitor the effects of the therapeutic process according to the requirements of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of the measurement of pressure generated during a maximal palmar grasp and after its release for evaluating the level of hand motor control in poststroke patients compared to subjective scales. Material and methods: In order to characterise motor control, a numerical indicator calculated on the basis of the measurements of pressure generated during a maximal palmar grasp and after its release was suggested. To perform the measurements, 12 poststroke patients with hemiparesis were included in the study. In the research, the level of hand paresis was assessed with Brunnström Approach, the intensity of spasticity was graded with Modified Ashworth Scale, while hand motor function was classified with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Pressure generated during a palmar grasp and after its release as well as palm area were measured with the use of a photometric method. The assessment was made twice, i.e. on the day of admission to the in-patient rehabilitation ward and after a three-week hospital treatment. Results: In the second measurement, a slight decrease in paresis intensity according to Brunnström Approach and lower intensity of spasticity according to Ashworth Scale were noted. A higher number of points in the FMA scale was observed. The values of the suggested indicator changed; however, in no case were these changes statistically significant. Conclusions: 1. Compared to other subjective scales, the usefulness of the measurement of pressure generated during a maximal palmar grasp and after its release for assessing the level of hand motor control in post-stroke patients was not confirmed. 2. The usefulness of the recommended method of spastic hand motor control assessment needs to be verified in further research carried out according to EBM requirements.

Kinematic models cannot provide insight into motor control

1997 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold B. Mitnitski
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Velocity Profile ◽  
Equilibrium State ◽  
Emergent Property ◽  
Kinematic Theory ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Kinematic Models ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Trivial Consequence

In Plamondon & Alimi's target article, a bell-shaped velocity profile typically observed in fast movements is used as a basis for the “kinematic theory” of motor control. In our opinion, kinematics is a necessary but insufficient ground for a theory of motor control. Relationships between different kinematic characteristics are an emergent property of the system dynamics controlled by the brain in a specific way. In particular, bell-shaped velocity profiles with or without additional waves are a trivial consequence of shifts in the equilibrium state of the system as suggested, for example, in the λ-model of motor control.

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