 |
| Research article summary (published 28 Jul 2008): |
|
Free Full Text! See links below |
Learning a novel myoelectric-controlled interface task.
Full Abstract
Control of myoelectric prostheses and brain-machine interfaces requires learning abstract neuromotor transformations. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this ability, we trained subjects to move a two-dimensional cursor using a myoelectric-controlled interface. With the upper limb immobilized, an electromyogram from multiple hand and arm muscles moved the cursor in directions that were either intuitive or nonintuitive and with high or low variability. We found that subjects could learn even nonintuitive arrangements to a high level of performance. Muscle-tuning functions were cosine shaped and modulated so as to reduce cursor variability. Subjects exhibited an additional preference for using hand muscles over arm muscles, which resulted from a greater capacity of these to form novel, task-specific synergies. In a second experiment, nonvisual feedback from the hand was degraded with amplitude- and frequency-modulated vibration. Although vibration impaired task performance, it did not affect the rate at which learning occurred. We therefore conclude that the motor system can acquire internal models of novel, abstract neuromotor mappings even in the absence of overt movements or accurate proprioceptive signals, but that the distal motor system may be better suited to provide flexible control signals for neuromotor prostheses than structures related to the arm.
Author information
Author/s: Radhakrishnan, Saritha M (SM); Baker, Stuart N (SN); Jackson, Andrew (A);
Affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, Henry Wellcome Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
Grants: (Agency:Wellcome Trust)
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Journal of neurophysiology (J Neurophysiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2008-Oct; vol 100 (issue 4) : pp 2397-408
Dates: Created 2008/10/13; Completed 2008/12/05; Revised 2009/01/08;
PMID: 18667540, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):
Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.
This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.
MeSH headings (categories)
This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.
Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.
Related articles
This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.
See a larger map of 100+ related articles.