Neural Basis of Sensory and Motor Learning: Functional Connections
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to understand how the sensory and motor areas of the brain work together to keep a person's hand movements accurate (sensorimotor learning). The investigators hope this information may be useful one day to improve rehabilitation techniques in patients with brain lesions.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Detailed Description
Human perception of hand position is multisensory. The brain can estimate it visually, from an image on the retina, and proprioceptively, from receptors in the joints and muscles. The sensory inputs determining these percepts are subject to changes in environmental factors (e.g., lighting) and internal factors (e.g., movement history). Multisensory integration of visual and proprioceptive estimates gives us flexibility to cope with such changes. For example, washing dishes with the hands immersed in water creates a spatial misalignment between vision and proprioception, as water refracts light. The brain resolves this conflict by realigning visual and/or proprioceptive estimates of hand position, and also by adjusting motor commands (visuomotor adaptation). The neural basis of these adaptive processes is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to find out if multisensory and visuomotor learning are accompanied by changes in resting state connectivity between sensory regions of the brain and other areas.
The first session is a familiarization session for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and the behavioral task, and is expected to last 30-40 minutes. Subjects will first fill out screening forms to confirm the answers given during the initial screening, and the Edinburgh handedness inventory to quantify their handedness. If subjects are still eligible, subjects will lie in a mock scanner and perform the functional task: Subjects will have their left index finger taped to a wooden stick, and an experimenter from the team will manipulate the finger with the stick outside of the scanner. Subjects will respond to the different movements by pressing buttons with their right hand. Subjects will also be introduced to the behavioral task, which is performed at an apparatus in the room next to the scanner: Subjects sit in front of a touchscreen and point to targets seen in a mirror.
If subjects are interested in moving on to the main session at this point, the main session will be scheduled and group assignment will be determined. There will be 3 groups:
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Visuo-proprioceptive realignment (perceptual learning)
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Visuomotor adaptation (motor learning)
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Control (no learning)
The main session will take about 2 hours. Subjects will first fill out the MR safety screening form. Subjects will then perform some practice trials of the behavioral task to remind the subject of the task. This will be followed by the first resting state scan (12 min), a 20-30 minute baseline block of the behavioral task (no learning), a second resting state scan (12 min), the 20-30 minute learning block of the behavioral task (perceptual learning, motor learning, or no learning, depending on group assignment), and a third resting state scan (12 min). Finally, the subject will do the functional task in the scanner (same as familiarization session, 12 min. total) and an anatomical scan (~6 minutes). The session will conclude with some questions about the subject's subjective experience of the procedures.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Perceptual learning Reaching task in which visual information about target finger position is offset to induce a change in perception of the finger. |
Behavioral: Perceptual learning
Reaching task with visual feedback offset from target finger position.
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| Experimental: Motor learning Reaching task in which visual information about reaching errors is offset to induce a movement change. |
Behavioral: Motor learning
Reaching task with visual feedback offset from reaching finger position.
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| Active Comparator: Control Reaching task with accurate visual information. |
Behavioral: Control
Reaching task with unmanipulated feedback.
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Resting state functional connectivity [1 day]
Brain activity measured during a 12 minute functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan while the subject is at rest.
- Reaching task performance [1 day]
Measured by where the subject points on a touchscreen when reaching to the targets.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Ages of 18-45 years old
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Right-handed.
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Fully vaccinated (2+ weeks past their final vaccine dose) or have a negative Covid test within 4 days of testing.
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Free of Covid symptoms in week preceding testing.
Exclusion Criteria:
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metallic, mechanical, or magnetic implants;
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are claustrophobic, or are unable to remain still for long periods of time;
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use an intra-uterine device (IUD) whos MR compatibility has not been established.
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Women who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant will also be excluded, as effects of fMRI on the unborn are not known.
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People who have a BMI over 30 will be excluded as it may be uncomfortable or impossible to lay in the MRI scanner and reach the button box.
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Potential subjects will be excluded if they have any neurological disorders, or orthopedic or pain conditions in the upper limbs.
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Investigators will also exclude subjects who do not have normal vision, or corrected-to-normal vision with contacts, or the imaging center does not have a pair of MRI compatible glasses that fits their prescription.
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investigators will invite subjects to reschedule if they have any of the common Covid symptoms within the last week and if they haven't been fully vaccinated or obtained a negative Covid test within the past 4 days. If they don't believe they can meet these criteria on another date, they will be excluded.
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After giving their consent, participants may be excluded during the study if they are unable to perform the tasks or follow instructions.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington | Indiana | United States | 47405 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Indiana University
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Hannah Block, Indiana University Bloomington
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 13138