Zoek
English
  Studiegidsen 2011-2012
Radboud UniversiteitStudiegidsenFaculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen > Research Master Cognitive Neuroscience

Motor control 

Motor control
(Vakcode)
Course ID
SOW-DGCN23
(Studiepunten)
Credits
6
(Periode)
Scheduled
Objectives (Doelstelling)

This course will provide students with a thorough background in the neurobiological and functional properties of the human motor system. This will be achieved by providing a multi-disciplinary approach to human motor control, integrating essential theoretical and experimental frameworks from biomechanics, computational neuroscience, experimental psychology and robotics, and focussing on the hierarchical organisation of the motor system considered from a neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and cognitive point of view.

Contents (Inhoud / Omschrijving)

Neurobiological aspects. This course will provide a detailed overview of the neurobiological basis of the hierachically organized human motor control system, including the (sub)cortical structures involved in the planning and execution of movements, the peripheral neuromuscular system and its specific biophysical make-up, and the various reflex mechanisms involved in motion. Fields that will be covered are neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, biomechanics, and psychonomics.

Functional aspects. We will focus on eye, head, and arm movements, as well as on walking, speaking, drawing and handwriting. Research paradigms that are promising for future neurocognitive research, stemming from experimental psychology and human movement science, will be discussed.

Theoretical/quantitative aspects. An overview will be presented of the theoretical models of the planning and execution of movements that address problems related to inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics of kinematically redundant limbs, feedforward and feedback mechanisms in motor systems, self-organization and cognitive constraints which affect human motor performance. All models will be discussed in the context of available experimental data.

Additional aspects. Where relevant, implications of theories, models and research findings for applied and clinical research purposes will be discussed. Part of the course will focus on experimental methods for studying human motor control, including analysis tools like computational modeling and rigid-body analysis, EMG, EEG, MEG, and fMRI.

Literature (Literatuur)

Lecture notes

  • Relevant chapters from handbooks of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, biomechanics and psychonomics and recent papers in top-quality journals like Biological Cybernetics, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Human Movement Science, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal of Neurophysiology, Journal of Neuroscience, Nature, Neuroscience, Neural Computation, Psychological Bulletin, and Psychological Review.

Representative readings

  • Flash, T., & Senjowski, T.J., (2001). Computational approaches to motor control. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 11, 655-662.
  • Johnson, M.T.V., & Mason, C.R., & Ebner, T.J. (2001). Central processes for the multiparametric control of arm movements in primates. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 11, 684-688.
  • Kandel, E., Schwartz J.H., Jessell T.M. (2000) Principles of Neural Science.Chapters 33-43. McGraw-Hill.
  • McMahon, T.A. (1984) Muscles, reflexes and locomotion. Princeton University Press.
  • Rosenbaum, D.A. (1992). Human motor control, Chapters 2-11. San Diego: Academic Press.
Teaching methods (Werkvormen)

Lectures, student assignments, active participation in experiments, and computer simulations. Student assignments will be made available on a special course-site on the Internet, via Blackboard, the digital learning environment of the Radboud University Nijmegen.

Coördinerend docent
Coordinator: P. Medendorp, lecturers: P. Medendorp, R. Meulenbroek, L. Selen
Examination (Toetsingsvorm)

Written exam

Exam information (Toetsinformatie)
Written exam, Monday, January 24. 2011; 10.45-12.30
Enrollment ( Inschrijving college )

via STUDENT PORTAL untill 5 working days before the start of the course
Note this course is for CNS students only. Non-CNS students can contact Yvonne Schouten () or Arno Koning ().