Proprioception is how we sense the position of our joints, the movements of our joints, and the forces generated by our muscles. Disturbances of proprioception can cause major disruption of all movements and postures. We will undertake novel studies of how signals generated in the brain which command our movements contribute to all key aspects of proprioception. Finally we will unravel how the brain builds up the overall 'scheme' of our body which we need to make any accurate movement.
This is a study of the senses which arise from our muscles and which tell us where our different body parts are, at any point in time. These senses, collectively called proprioception, are also involved in the automatic, unconscious control of our muscles. So, ultimately, they allow us to stand and to move freely with precision and confidence, even in the dark. One of these senses, the sense of effort or of heaviness, is believed to be generated within the brain. It intensifies when we become fa ....This is a study of the senses which arise from our muscles and which tell us where our different body parts are, at any point in time. These senses, collectively called proprioception, are also involved in the automatic, unconscious control of our muscles. So, ultimately, they allow us to stand and to move freely with precision and confidence, even in the dark. One of these senses, the sense of effort or of heaviness, is believed to be generated within the brain. It intensifies when we become fatigued. These experiments will be concerned with finding out more about how this works. We have a method that uses magnetic stimulation of the brain to change its control of our muscles. Using it we will learn how this sense is generated. When we close our eyes and move our limbs we realise that we know exactly where they are at any point in time. It remains uncertain exactly how this information is generated within the nervous system. One idea, arising from some recent experiments which we want to test, is that as we move the limb, the skin over the moving parts is stretched and stretch-sensitive nerve endings in the skin provide us with information about the movement. Alternatively, perhaps it is the effort we exert to maintain limb position against the force of gravity which tells us where the limb is. In another recent study we have found that when a muscle has become painful from excessive exercise or from some local strain injury, our ability to control the muscle and so move the limb is no longer as effective. We want to study the underlying nervous mechanisms responsible for the changes in movement control. Are they designed to spare the muscle while it recovers from injury? How are they brought about? All of this work is important for a better understanding of ourselves, for a better clinical diagnosis when something goes wrong and for improved treatment of diseased or injured muscles.Read moreRead less
From Understanding The Mechanisms To Implementing Conservative Management Of Musculoskeletal Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,339,215.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain is the leading cause of disability internationally and outcomes are worsening. This work will take a unique approach to study back pain from the mechanisms that occur at the cellular level to the interaction between a person’s physiology and psychology to understand why pain fluctuates, to understand how treatments can be more appropriately tailored for individuals, and to test how people with back pain can be supported to change behaviours and achieve recovery.
Harnessing Neural Plasticity To Improve Functional Outcomes Following Burn Injury.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,984.00
Summary
Burn is painful and leads to long-term functional impairment and increased chronic disease. Pain and peripheral injury induce changes in the brain that can be functionally beneficial or maladaptive, yet we know little about brain changes following burn injury. This project will identify the mechanisms and functional impact of neural plasticity after burn injury, and test the efficacy of a neural intervention to reduce pain and improve functional recovery following burn injury.
Neural Mechanisms Associated With Recovery Of Function Following Motor Cortical Lesions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,415.00
Summary
Damage to movement control areas in the brain early in life (e.g. cerebral palsy) or in adulthood (e.g. stroke, tumours) results in motor weakness and loss of skill; over a period of many months there is gradual recovery of function. The neural mechanisms that are associated with functional reorganization of the brain and motor recovery are not well understood. This project plans to use animal experiments to identify the location of regions in the brain that undergo neural reorganization and com ....Damage to movement control areas in the brain early in life (e.g. cerebral palsy) or in adulthood (e.g. stroke, tumours) results in motor weakness and loss of skill; over a period of many months there is gradual recovery of function. The neural mechanisms that are associated with functional reorganization of the brain and motor recovery are not well understood. This project plans to use animal experiments to identify the location of regions in the brain that undergo neural reorganization and compensate for lost function. Following brain lesions detailed mapping of the motor areas of the brain and a careful study of movement disabilities will be performed. The study will attempt to identify changes in motor maps that indicate neural reorganization and relate these changes to motor recovery. The results of this study will be used in future projects to test training programs, drugs and neural prosthesis on neural reorganization and recovery of function. Eventually the information may be used to direct pharmacological and physiotherapeutic interventions, and motor rehabilitation programs for optimal recovery of function.Read moreRead less
Volitional And Non-volitional Control Of Human Balance: Normal Physiology And Changes With Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,066.00
Summary
How does the brain control balance when we stand? Our research shows that two very distinct processes operate to produce distinct postural, perceptual and cardiovascular outcomes. These experiments investigate the neurophysiology that coordinates these systems and what happens with age. The results will fundamentally change views on balance control. Balance problems are common in neurological disorders and old age. Knowing how balance works will improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Influence Of Cortical Stroke And Experimental Brain Stimulation On Excitability Of Human Corticobulbar Motor Projections And Swallowing Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,183.00
Summary
Swallowing disorders often result from damage to the brain. They have profound consequences on patient health and quality of life and result in significant medical and socioeconomic costs. This project firstly investigates how motor networks in the brain control the muscles involved in swallowing and how this control is affected by stroke. Secondly, it evaluates the potential of novel interventions to improve impaired swallowing function following stroke by reorganising motor networks.