2019 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Hyper-adaptability to altered musculoskeletal system: cortical and subcortical mechanism.
| Project Area | Hyper-adaptability for overcoming body-brain dysfunction: Integrated empirical and system theoretical approaches |
|---|
| Project/Area Number |
19H05724
|
|---|
| Research Institution | National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
関 和彦 国立研究開発法人国立精神・神経医療研究センター, 神経研究所 モデル動物開発研究部, 部長 (00226630)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2019-06-28 – 2024-03-31
|
| Keywords | tendon transfer / macaque monkey / muscle synergy / sensorimotor / ECoG / EMG |
|---|
| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The musculoskeletal system changes over time (e.g. development, aging or by injury) and somatosensory and motor cortical areas, as well as subcortical areas are subject to substantial reorganization as a result of these changes. However, only little information is available about the central nervous system’s adaptations to this physically modified body and its underlying mechanisms. Aim of this study was to elucidate neural mechanism that underly this plasticity of the CNS to the bodily modification. This year, as well as improving surgical technique, we have finished analyzing muscle activity by using the concept of muscle synergy. We found that the activity of transferred muscles as well as the muscle synergy belonging to them could exhibit plasticity in rather complex patterns.
|
| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
In this year, we started to collaborate with a hand-surgeon to refine and improve our tendon-cross-transfer model and the underlying surgical procedure. Most significant adaptation being the use of a tendon graft consisting of the tendon taken from the ipsilateral leg which bridges the gap between tendon of two muscles. The new procedure was conducted in two monkeys and while histology has already confirmed the success of the procedure the EMG data collected during the behavioural task are now being analysed.
Furthermore, we started a second collaboration with neuro-surgeon and improved this way the implant of ECoG electrodes over the somato-sensory cortex of our non-human primates.
|
| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Next year, we will start analyzing an additional electrophysiological recordings from the primary motor (M1) and sensory (S1) cortex using ECoG recording techniques showing that activity changes over time at specific electrode locations rostral to the central sulcus (M1). More specifically, we will observe test if a changes in activity during the hold period after tendon surgery.
|
