Differentiating the roles of the cerebellum and motor cortices during visuomotor adaptation using either hand or whole arm reaching movements

Weightman, Matthew Christopher (2019). Differentiating the roles of the cerebellum and motor cortices during visuomotor adaptation using either hand or whole arm reaching movements. University of Birmingham. M.Sc.

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Abstract

The control of proximal versus distal upper limb movements are believed to be subserved by somewhat distinct neural pathways. Direct connections from the primary motor cortex (M1) to distal muscles supports the key role of M1 in the production and control of hand/finger movements. Alternatively, impaired reach behaviour after cerebellar lesions and ataxia point to the cerebellum as a vital neural substrate contributing to whole arm reaching. Here, we aimed to further elucidate the roles of both the cerebellum and M1 during specific motor tasks using either movements of the hand and fingers or the whole arm. Young healthy participants received anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) over the lateral cerebellum, M1 or sham stimulation during a visuomotor rotation task requiring either hand/finger movements or whole arm reaching movements. It was found that cerebellar TDCS enhanced adaptation for participants completing the reaching task, as they displayed significantly reduced error at the end of the task compared to the M1 or sham group. Conversely, M1 stimulation resulted in improved adaptation performance during the hand task compared to cerebellar or sham groups. These results demonstrate an effector specific effect of TDCS over M1 and the cerebellum during visuomotor adaptation.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Sc.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Sc.

Supervisor(s):