HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Knock knock knocking on rhythm's neural doors

Drum the tip of a finger on a typewriter key quickly "eeeeee." Now, stop and type "e" take a moment, type "e," take another moment, type "e" again. The motion in both cases is exactly the same, performed by the same finger.

But the brain processes that make the two different streams of 'e's are utterly different, according to a study done by a University of Southern California neural specialist and colleagues.

The insight may lead to, among other things, better movement control by humanoid robots, but also new ways of movement rehabilitation. And perhaps it even offers some insight into the effect of music.

Dr. Stefan Schaal, an associate professor in the computer science department of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering led the international team that used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans to test a longstanding question regarding "rhythmic" versus "discrete" movement.

"Rhythmic movements like walking, chewing or scratching are found in many organisms, ranging from insects to primates," notes Schaal in an article published in Nature Neuroscience Sept. 26. "In contrast, discrete movements like reaching and kicking are behaviors that have reached sophistication in young species, particularly in primates."

Schaal, a robot expert with a deep background in neuroscience who draws inspiration for robot controls from biological models, notes that researchers have historically treated both kinds of movement as fundamentally the same in terms of control -- to say that one is a special form of the other.

Thus specialists studying discrete movement have considered rhythm a subset of discrete movement -- the same thing speeded and repeated -- while behaviorists studying rhythmic movement like walking have considered discrete movement just the same thing slowed and aborted after only a short piece of rhythmic movement.

But in a carefully arranged set of experiments, Schaal and co-workers from Pennsylv
'"/>

Contact: Eric Mankin
mankin@usc.edu
213-821-1887
University of Southern California
26-Sep-2004


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Knock out rose receives Texas superstar and earthkind designation
2. Knockout research eases study of plant gene functions
3. Knocking the Sox off early mammalian development
4. Knocking out SHIP gene improves success of allogeneic bone marrow transplants in mice
5. Knockout of cav-1 protein causes loss of a cellular organelle
6. Knockout mouse may lead to major understanding of human kidney disorder
7. The Origins Of Hereditary Breast Cancer -- Studies With Knock-Out Mice Reveal Underlying Mechanisms
8. Knockout Mouse Reveals Genetic Mechanism In Defective Mammalian Ear Development
9. Gene Knockout Prolongs Ovarian Lifespan In Mice
10. Vertex Pharmaceuticals/Yale Research Team Uses Gene Knockout Mice To Establish Role Of Caspase-9 In Neuronal Cell Death Pathway
11. Defects In Embryonic Development In Lunatic Fringe Knockout Mice

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Knock knock knocking rhythm neural doors

(Date:5/21/2013)... the past few decades, scientists have developed many devices ... metallic stents. While generally effective, each of these treatments ... A new study from MIT analyzes the potential usefulness ... angioplasty balloons and drug-releasing stents, but may pose fewer ... in the artery for only a brief period, during ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... colistin are also commonly resistant to antimicrobial substances ... study in mBio , the online open-access ... to colistin and host antimicrobials LL-37 and lysozyme, ... could mean that patients with life-threatening multi-drug resistant ... response. Colistin is a last-line drug for treating ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... planning grant will help establish the Center for Advanced ... University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Worcester Polytechnic Institute ... to research in drying moist, porous materials such as ... chemical products; textiles; and biopharmaceuticals," said Hao Feng, a ... nutrition and the Illinois site director. , According to ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteries 2Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteries 3Resistance to last-line antibiotic makes bacteria resistant to immune system 2Resistance to last-line antibiotic makes bacteria resistant to immune system 3NSF approves planning grant for Center for Advanced Research in Drying 2
(Date:5/21/2013)... Emerson Resources Inc. , a premier pharmaceutical ... Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, ... service. As part of Emerson Resources’ planned leadership succession ... as Dr. Signorino’s successor. , Dr. Signorino is ... a significant contribution to the field during his extensive ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013  Personal Genome Diagnostics ... its proprietary methodologies and expertise in genomic analysis ... targets in collaboration with Blueprint Medicines.  PGDx is ... identifying genomic alterations in tumors, and Blueprint Medicines ... inhibitors for a genetically defined patient population. ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... NANONEX CORPORATION, a pioneer and leading company in ... delivery and installation of a new nanoimprint lithography ... Japanese manufacturing company. , Nanonex’s ... tool that has the ability to process a ... Based on Nanonex inventions and proprietary technologies, including ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... 2013 Possible mold re-infestation in Guilemtte School ... a report from eagletribune.com posted May 14, 2013, the state ... result is positive, My Cleaning Products offered a tip ... , It was said in the Eagle Tribune report (5.14.13) ... campus sparked after a first-grade classroom was closed due to ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Emerson Resources Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of Successor 2Emerson Resources Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of Successor 3Personal Genome Diagnostics And Blueprint Medicines Form Collaboration to Identify Novel Kinase Targets 2Personal Genome Diagnostics And Blueprint Medicines Form Collaboration to Identify Novel Kinase Targets 3Nanonex Announces the Shipment and Installation of an Innovative Nanoimprint Lithography System for Fully Automated Manufacturing 2Possible Mold Re-infestation Gets Guilmette School Scheduled for Re-inspection, My Cleaning Products Offers Tip How to Kill Mold Safely If Inspection Turns Positive 2Possible Mold Re-infestation Gets Guilmette School Scheduled for Re-inspection, My Cleaning Products Offers Tip How to Kill Mold Safely If Inspection Turns Positive 3
Cached News: