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The final and most effective means that we have to stop a fall is the stepping reflex, which is an automatic response when the body topples. For many elderly and others, this reflex does not work effectively and leads to falls and injuries. Although we know a lot about human balance and standing, we know little about this stepping reflex. This project investigates the basic physiology of the stepping reflex and how it is affected by age with the aim of preventing falls and injuries.
My work investigates the neural output to human inspiratory muscles and how it is related to mechanical effectiveness for breathing. The aim is to discover how this relationship can change with respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnoea. I also examine the changes in breathing muscle control in people with spinal cord injury. This work promises new understanding of the basic control of respiration and how it changes with disease.
I am a neurophysiologist who examines the neural control of movement and the interaction of sensation and movement in human subjects. I study cortical and motoneuronal events during exercise and muscle fatigue, how cortical connections to the motoneurones change with practice of motor tasks, and whether they can be changed artificially. I also study proprioception i.e. the sensations related to relative position and movement of parts of the body and the production of muscle force.
Cortical, Descending And Reflex Control Of Human Inspiratory Muscles
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,500.00
Summary
Of all the skeletal muscles, the breathing muscles perform the most crucial action, that is, they maintain ventilation. The neural control of respiratory muscles must be finely integrated to maintain ventilation while we are awake, asleep, exercising, eating and talking. The neural circuitry for the respiratory muscles is unique. Control of respiratory muscles differs from that of limb muscles because the respiratory motoneurones are activated rhythmically but are controlled via two descending p ....Of all the skeletal muscles, the breathing muscles perform the most crucial action, that is, they maintain ventilation. The neural control of respiratory muscles must be finely integrated to maintain ventilation while we are awake, asleep, exercising, eating and talking. The neural circuitry for the respiratory muscles is unique. Control of respiratory muscles differs from that of limb muscles because the respiratory motoneurones are activated rhythmically but are controlled via two descending pathways. During automatic breathing, descending neural drive arises from the central respiratory pattern generator in the brainstem. Through this system, disturbances are reflexly compensated for without conscious effort. However, in addition, to automatic control, respiration can also be controlled voluntarily from the motor cortex, for example during speech or a breath hold. However, in humans the neural connections and interactions between these two centres are poorly understood. In addition to descending signals, the activity of inspiratory muscles is affected by sensory reflex inputs. The proposed studies will investigate three aspects of the control of human inspiratory muscles that act to 'pump' air into the lungs and upper airway 'dilator' muscles that act to keep the airway open. Because expiration is usually passive during quiet breathing we will focus on the neural control of inspiration. First, we will investigate some of the reflex connections of human 'pump' and 'dilator' muscles in people with and without obstructive sleep apnoea. Second, we will study the descending control of inspiratory muscles using single motor unit recordings. In addition, we will make the first detailed analysis of single motor unit activity from the tongue. This muscle critically helps preserve breathing when we sleep. Finally, we will examine the interactions between the motor cortex and medulla in the control of breathing about which relatively little is known in awake humans.Read moreRead less
Unravelling The Neural Bases Of The Diverse Capability Of The Grasping Hand
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,804.00
Summary
This project aims to unravel how the brain guides the hand to interact with objects in diverse ways, a topic that is poorly understood. We will use fMRI to find active brain areas during object grasps, & then use non-invasive brain stimulation to briefly “shut off” some of these areas, & then identify changes in grasping & previously active brain areas. Insight from this project on the neural bases of diverse hand-object interactions will speed up important work aimed at improving hand function.
Motor coordination in infancy and its relationship to motor and psychosocial development in childhood. Few studies have examined the impact of early motor development on later development, even though there is evidence to show that these early movements influence later motor ability. Motor development can also impact on cognitive, emotional and social development. The current study has data on early motor ability in over 90 infants which includes children at risk of developmental disorders. We ....Motor coordination in infancy and its relationship to motor and psychosocial development in childhood. Few studies have examined the impact of early motor development on later development, even though there is evidence to show that these early movements influence later motor ability. Motor development can also impact on cognitive, emotional and social development. The current study has data on early motor ability in over 90 infants which includes children at risk of developmental disorders. We will carry out a longitudinal investigation of the relationship between early motor development in infancy on motor and psychosocial development in childhood. The results will provide information on early markers for developmental disorders and appropriate intervention techniques than can be initiated in infancy. Read moreRead less
Urinary continence and incontinence in men: New insight through new technologies. Healthy ageing in men is largely overlooked. Disorders of continence are surprisingly common with increasing age, and are socially debilitating. To understand changes in continence and address healthy ageing it is first necessary to gain an understanding of continence mechanisms in healthy men. Continence in women has received wide attention, but anatomy and function differ, as do the challenges throughout life (ch ....Urinary continence and incontinence in men: New insight through new technologies. Healthy ageing in men is largely overlooked. Disorders of continence are surprisingly common with increasing age, and are socially debilitating. To understand changes in continence and address healthy ageing it is first necessary to gain an understanding of continence mechanisms in healthy men. Continence in women has received wide attention, but anatomy and function differ, as do the challenges throughout life (childbirth vs. prostate disease). Using novel methods we will test a new hypothesis of male continence with the goal to provide new physiological discoveries, new methods, and baseline data upon which strategies to enhance healthy ageing and reduce the economic burden of disorders of continence can be developed and refined. Read moreRead less
Revealing the beneficial effects of acoustic stimulation on the human brain. This project aims to provide greater understanding of the neural mechanisms by which initiation of motor responses can be improved by unexpected auditory stimulation. Initiating motor actions appears natural and effortless, but is underpinned by complex neural mechanisms that are not well understood. Using novel brain stimulation techniques, the project aims to assess the potential for properly timed strong sensory stim ....Revealing the beneficial effects of acoustic stimulation on the human brain. This project aims to provide greater understanding of the neural mechanisms by which initiation of motor responses can be improved by unexpected auditory stimulation. Initiating motor actions appears natural and effortless, but is underpinned by complex neural mechanisms that are not well understood. Using novel brain stimulation techniques, the project aims to assess the potential for properly timed strong sensory stimulation during movement preparation to induce neural plasticity and motor learning. This knowledge would have important implications across a number of fields, including neuroscience, sports science, and applied ergonomics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100653
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
The predictive brain and control of anticipatory actions. The ability to predict events in a dynamic environment is an important skill for survival as it can guide our actions when time pressures are severe. How predictions come about to guide our actions is not clear and project results will have great theoretical significance to understand how we generate them.