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Description
Movement is a very large and important part of what we do. From speaking to running, from fixating an object in the visual field to reaching out and grasping it, movement is the major measurable behavioural output of the nervous system. In this module, we will examine the motor system in its entirety, from the muscles and motoneurons that form the final common pathway for movement, to the spinal cord and brain systems that contribute to our ability to decide when a movement should be made and what form it should take.
The module takes a systems-level approach. The anatomy and physiology of muscles and motoneurons, spinal integration and supraspinal control from the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and basal ganglia will be introduced. The engagement of these systems in locomotion, in the control of posture and balance, in the control of eye movements and in the voluntary control of limb movements will be considered in detail. Mechanisms of motor learning in reflex calibration and in development of motor skills will be discussed, and the module concludes with discussion of cognitive aspects of motor control and the mechanisms that provide the transition from thought to action.
Each lecture has recommended reading including reviews and original papers. There will also workshop-feedback sessions. For each of these sessions, there will be two or three target papers to read beforehand and you will be expected critically evaluate them in the session.
Indicative lecture topics
- Principles of Motor Control; Muscles, Motoneurons & Proprioception
- Integration in the Spinal Cord
- Cerebral Cortex
- Cerebellum
- Basal Ganglia
- Eye Movements
- Posture and Locomotion
- Motor Learning
- Movement & Cognition
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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