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movement disorders

·August 11, 2025·5 min read

Basal Ganglia Switches Neural Codes for Learned vs. Innate Skills

A new study reveals that the brain’s basal ganglia use two distinct neural “languages” to control movement — one for learned skills and another for innate behaviors. Studying rats, researchers found that the dorsolateral striatum was essential for learned tasks but not for natural movements like walking or grooming.

This shows the motion capture data on a computer screen

Featured Neuroscience

·January 22, 2023·10 min read

Wearable Tech and AI Combine to Track Progression of Movement Disorders

Combining new wearable technology and artificial intelligence, researchers are better able to track motion and monitor the progression of movement disorders.

This shows a woman dancing in a field of yellow flowers

Featured Neuroscience

·June 11, 2022·5 min read

Learning and Remembering Movement

Focusing on the largest pyramidal neurons in the motor cortex, researchers found dendritic branches do not simply pass movement information forward. Each sub-branch calculates the information and passes it to larger sub-branches, which in turn, perform the same operation. Multiple dendritic branchlets can interact with each other to amplify their combined computational product.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·February 3, 2021·5 min read

Unraveling the Mystery of Gao, a Protein Implicated in Movement Disorders

Study reveals the role the Gao protein plays in a rare genetic movement disorder often diagnosed during infancy and early childhood.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·October 3, 2018·3 min read

Fly Protein Has Protective Effect on Dopaminergic Neurons

Researchers report the Scarlet protein has a neuroprotective effect on dopaminergic neurons in fruit flies.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 2, 2018·3 min read

Identifying the Brain Networks Involved in Free Will

Researchers report brain stimulation to different parts of a specific brain network can change perceptions of free will.

The image shows a diffusion tensor imaging scan and MRI of a Parkinson's patient's brain.

Featured Neurology

·June 13, 2013·3 min read

Brain-Imaging Technique can Help Diagnose Movement Disorders

A new study finds diffusion tensor imaging has the potential to improve diagnoses for people with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

The image shows a structure of protein LRRK2.

Featured Neurology

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Examining the so-called Basque Mutation of Parkinson’s

Researchers examine mutations of the LRRK2 gene and R1441G, known as the Basque mutation, to better understand Parkinson's disease among patients in the Basque Country.

Brain image with the basal ganglia and other brain areas.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

NIH Study Advances Understanding of Movement Control

Voluntary movements involve the coordinated activation of two brain pathways that connect parts of deep brain structures called the basal ganglia, according to a study in mice.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·August 2, 2012·3 min read

Researchers Find Genetic Cause for Body Tremors

Scientists knew that mutations in the FUS gene (Fused in Sarcoma) cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. The researchers were successful in identifying mutations in this gene that cause Essential Tremor, and proved that the disease mechanisms for ET and ALS FUS mutations are different.