We have explored the synaptic and cellular mechanisms by which a single primary mechanosensory neuron, the anterior gastric receptor (AGR), reconfigures motor output of the gastric mill central pattern generator (CPG) in the stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the lobster Homarus gammarus. AGR is activated in vivo by contraction of the medial tooth protractor muscle gm1 and accesses the gas...

In temporal-or dynamic-attending theory, it is proposed that motor activity helps to synchronize temporal fluctuations of attention with the timing of events in a task-relevant stream, thus facilitating sensory selection. Here we develop a mechanistic behavioural account for this theory by asking human participants to track a slow reference beat, by noiseless finger pressing, while extracting a...

objective the primary problem in children with cerebral palsy (cp), frequently referred for occupational therapy, is gross motor dysfunction. the current study was designed to investigate the effects of sensory integration therapy (sit) on gross motor skills in cp patients. materials & methods twenty-four children with diplegic spastic cp were randomly divided into two groups: first group (n=14...

Children with Down's syndrome have developmental delays, particularly regarding cognitive and motor development. Fine motor skill problems are related to motor development. They have impact on occupational performances in school-age children with Down's syndrome because they relate to participation in school activities, such as grasping, writing, and carrying out self-care duties. This study ai...

This study provides evidence that activity-dependent synaptic enhancement at a neuromuscular junction modifies the characteristics of force production of the receiving muscle during rhythmic motor neuron discharge patterns. Long-lasting augmentation of the excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) quickens and strengthens the muscle response to a given motor pattern. We used the muscle gm6 of the c...

Do closely related marsupial herbivores (Diprotodontia) conserve a common masticatory motor pattern or are motor patterns linked to the structure and function of the masticatory apparatus? We recorded the sequence and duration of activity of the individual jaw closing muscles during rhythmic chewing in koalas and then compared their motor pattern with that of their closest extant relatives, wom...

The main aim of the experiments reported in this thesis was to explore the neural mechanisms underlying the temporal orienting of attention. In Chapter 3, I explored the possible dissociation between exogenous and endogenous temporal orienting by comparing reaction times to targets appearing after rhythmic or symbolic cues. Behavioural results provided evidence for the existence of dissociable ...

We investigated effector-independent aspects of voluntary motor timing, using behavioural measurements and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Two types of temporal pattern were investigated; one isochronous, the other a metric, rhythmic sequence of six temporal intervals. Each pattern was performed using tapping movements with the left or right index fingers, or rhythmic speech on one sylla...

The main goal of the study was to determine the influence of the long-term rhythmic gymnastics training process on certain motor abilities and on the posture of elite Croatian rhythmic gymnasts. The sample was composed of 35 girls aged 12.89 (±2.32) years from Zagreb, Croatia. Fifteen of them were rhythmic gymnasts who have trained 8.93 hours per week on average, for at least 5 years. The contr...

OBJECTIVE Discuss the effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimuli on motor and balance function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred and sixteen patients with PD participated in this study. The control group used a routine drug treatment for eight weeks. The comprehensive treatment group used conventional drug treatment with sound rhythm ...