Sensory-motor interactions offer critical mechanisms for how we move. Somatosensory information, from cutaneous, muscle, joint and tendon receptors, are known to provide the central nervous system (CNS) with information about the body and the environment. In turn, somatosensory input provided to the CNS is relayed to motor areas to assist in the preparation, execution and correction of movements.
The basal ganglia are known to receive input from both cortical somatosensory and motor areas, but the significance and the contribution of these interactions for various aspects of human movement remains enigmatic. A variety of different neurophysiological techniques have been used to investigate the role of the basal ganglia in somatosensory-motor interactions: electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) such as DTI, and recordings from deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes. Exiting applications of these techniques were extensively described in the previous edition of this topic. In the last two years, this artmentarium has been expanded by the widespread availability of deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems that are not only able to stimulate but also to chronically record neural activity in the basal ganglia. Next to this, also important developments have been made in other non-invasive brain stimulation methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS).
Much of what is currently known about somatosensory-motor interactions has been derived from research combining neurophysiological techniques with behavioral measures of movement. In addition, behavioral and neurophysiology measurements in clinical populations affecting the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD) and dystonia have been critical in advancing our understanding. Determining how somatosensory-motor interactions contribute to specific aspects of movements (ex. initiation, inhibition, force production, timing) will help in understanding the role that these mechanisms contribute to sensorimotor pathophysiology of neurological disorders affecting the basal ganglia. Both animal and human research is critical to developing a thorough understanding of this topic. Furthermore, computational methods that consider the sensory-motor and connected biological system as a whole, including peripheral sensory receptor physiology, are integral to advancing knowledge on this topic.
Original research articles, perspectives/opinions as well as reviews are welcome.
Sensory-motor interactions offer critical mechanisms for how we move. Somatosensory information, from cutaneous, muscle, joint and tendon receptors, are known to provide the central nervous system (CNS) with information about the body and the environment. In turn, somatosensory input provided to the CNS is relayed to motor areas to assist in the preparation, execution and correction of movements.
The basal ganglia are known to receive input from both cortical somatosensory and motor areas, but the significance and the contribution of these interactions for various aspects of human movement remains enigmatic. A variety of different neurophysiological techniques have been used to investigate the role of the basal ganglia in somatosensory-motor interactions: electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) such as DTI, and recordings from deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes. Exiting applications of these techniques were extensively described in the previous edition of this topic. In the last two years, this artmentarium has been expanded by the widespread availability of deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems that are not only able to stimulate but also to chronically record neural activity in the basal ganglia. Next to this, also important developments have been made in other non-invasive brain stimulation methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS).
Much of what is currently known about somatosensory-motor interactions has been derived from research combining neurophysiological techniques with behavioral measures of movement. In addition, behavioral and neurophysiology measurements in clinical populations affecting the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD) and dystonia have been critical in advancing our understanding. Determining how somatosensory-motor interactions contribute to specific aspects of movements (ex. initiation, inhibition, force production, timing) will help in understanding the role that these mechanisms contribute to sensorimotor pathophysiology of neurological disorders affecting the basal ganglia. Both animal and human research is critical to developing a thorough understanding of this topic. Furthermore, computational methods that consider the sensory-motor and connected biological system as a whole, including peripheral sensory receptor physiology, are integral to advancing knowledge on this topic.
Original research articles, perspectives/opinions as well as reviews are welcome.
