Research
Research in the Movement Neuroscience Laboratory focuses on understanding the effects of central neural dysfunction on motor and cognitive performance due to neurotrauma (e.g., concussion) and neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Parkinson’s disease). Key aspects involve identifying the underlying neural mechanisms that determine the speed and magnitude at which performance declines. Our approach is multidisciplinary, integrating neural activity, biomechanics, and cognitive assessments to determine which neural mechanisms contribute to performance decline.
Neural Activity
We measure cortical activity during gait with an imaging technique called functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This technique measures the difference in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, providing details about which cortical areas are active during any particular task. Changes in gait and cognition may share an underlying neurophysiology which can be uncovered with our multidisciplinary approach to characterizing gait dysfunction in neurological populations. These neurophysiological changes may be targeted with therapy to simultaneously improve gait and cognitive performance in neurological populations, improving their quality of life.
Mobility (Biomechanics)
Walking is a common mobility task that is composed of different components (e.g., initiation, straight gait, turning, and termination). Generally, cortical and sub-cortical motor pathways are responsible for successful walking performance. However, the notion that walking is solely dependent on the motor pathways has given way to a more complex model that reflects cognitive control of gait. To achieve our research aims we need to uncover the relationships between gait and cognitive activities in neurological disorders, potentially aiding in the development of more efficient gait rehabilitation.
Cognitive Influence
Both transient (e.g., concussion) and chronic (e.g., dementias) cognitive impairment can lead to gait dysfunction. Importantly, specific components of cognition, such as executive function, attention, visuospatial perception, seem to relate to different components of gait. Identifying these unique relationships between cognition and gait could help clinicians diagnose subtle gait impairments of their patients, leading to more targeted rehabilitation.
