Discovering biological mechanisms enabling pianists to achieve skillful fingering
Expert pianists have altered mechanisms by with tactile and proprioceptive sensations suppress activity in the primary motor cortex.... Read More...
primary motor cortex
Research moves closer to brain-machine interface autonomy
Findings allow for the development of an autonomously updating brain-machine interface, which is able to improve on its own by learning about its subject without additional programming. The system could help develop new robotic prosthetics, which can perform more naturally.... Read More...
How mirror activity works
Long contractions of muscles in one hand increase involuntary reactions in the other. Findings shed new light on mirror activity and may help with better understanding the pathology of mirror movements in neurological disorders.... Read More...
Bungee Jumping For Science: Measuring Readiness Outside the Lab
Asking participants to bungee jump helps researchers measure Bereitschaftspotential, or readiness potential, outside the lab setting. Researchers say their findings will help in the development of BCIs to assist quadriplegics to control neuroprosthetics.... Read More...
Brainwave Activity Reveals Potential Biomarker for ASD
Researchers have identified a possible biomarker that could help expedite ASD diagnosis in children. The study revealed children with autism have lower frequency motor related gamma oscillations.... Read More...
Unlocking the Secret of How the Brain Encodes Speech
Researchers report the brain controls speech production in a similar manner to how it controls the production of arm and hand movements. The findings could help to build better speech decoders for BMI, helping those who are unable to speak to find their voice.... Read More...
Gender Differences in Parkinson’s Disease
Not only do women appear to be better protected against the effects of Parkinson's disease, a new study reveals a gender specific pathology exists in women with the disease as soon as the symptoms appear.... Read More...
The Learning Brain is Less Flexible Than We Thought
According to researchers, when learning a new task, the brain is less flexible than previously believed.... Read More...
Electrical Stimulation in Brain Bypasses Senses and Instructs Movement
University of Rochester researchers report low levels of electrical stimulation delivered to areas of the brain responsible for movement can instruct an appropriate response, replacing signals for sensory processing.... Read More...
Advanced Artificial Limbs Mapped in the Brain
Following targeted motor and sensory reinnervation, a procedure that reroutes residual limb nerves to intact muscles and skin in amputees, the brain remaps both motor and sensory pathways. Additionally, researchers note, TMSR may help counteract poorly adapted cortical plasticity following amputation.... Read More...
Why is Yawning So Contagious and Why Should it Matter
According to a new Current Biology study, contagious yawning is triggered by primitive reflexes in the primary motor cortex.... Read More...
Memory Insight May Prove Beneficial For Those With Brain Damage
A new study reveals multiple parts of the brain are associated with memory processing. Findings could help develop new strategies to treat those with brain injuries.... Read More...