| Records |
| Author |
Wilf, M.; Korakin, A.; Bahat, Y.; Koren, O.; Galor, N.; Dagan, O.; Wright, W.G.; Friedman, J.; Plotnik, M. |
| Title |
Using virtual reality-based neurocognitive testing and eye tracking to study naturalistic cognitive-motor performance |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2024 |
Publication |
Neuropsychologia |
Abbreviated Journal |
Neuropsychologia |
| Volume |
194 |
Issue |
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Pages |
108744 |
| Keywords |
Humans; Aged; *Eye-Tracking Technology; Cognition; Executive Function; *Virtual Reality; Aging; Color trails test; Fall risk; Hand kinematics; Pupil; Virtual reality |
| Abstract |
Natural human behavior arises from continuous interactions between the cognitive and motor domains. However, assessments of cognitive abilities are typically conducted using pen and paper tests, i.e., in isolation from “real life” cognitive-motor behavior and in artificial contexts. In the current study, we aimed to assess cognitive-motor task performance in a more naturalistic setting while recording multiple motor and eye tracking signals. Specifically, we aimed to (i) delineate the contribution of cognitive and motor components to overall task performance and (ii) probe for a link between cognitive-motor performance and pupil size. To that end, we used a virtual reality (VR) adaptation of a well-established neurocognitive test for executive functions, the 'Color Trails Test' (CTT). The VR-CTT involves performing 3D reaching movements to follow a trail of numbered targets. To tease apart the cognitive and motor components of task performance, we included two additional conditions: a condition where participants only used their eyes to perform the CTT task (using an eye tracking device), incurring reduced motor demands, and a condition where participants manually tracked visually-cued targets without numbers on them, incurring reduced cognitive demands. Our results from a group of 30 older adults (>65) showed that reducing cognitive demands shortened completion times more extensively than reducing motor demands. Conditions with higher cognitive demands had longer target search time, as well as decreased movement execution velocity and head-hand coordination. We found larger pupil sizes in the more cognitively demanding conditions, and an inverse correlation between pupil size and completion times across individuals in all task conditions. Lastly, we found a possible link between VR-CTT performance measures and clinical signatures of participants (fallers versus non-fallers). In summary, performance and pupil parameters were mainly dependent on task cognitive load, while maintaining systematic interindividual differences. We suggest that this paradigm opens the possibility for more detailed profiling of individual cognitive-motor performance capabilities in older adults and other at-risk populations. |
| Address |
Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Israel; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: Meir.Plotnik@sheba.health.gov.il |
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English |
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| ISSN |
0028-3932 |
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PMID:38072162 |
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no |
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123 |
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| Author |
Tamir-Ostrover, H.; Hassin-Baer, S.; Fay-Karmon, T.; Friedman, J. |
| Title |
Quantifying Changes in Dexterity as a Result of Piano Training in People with Parkinson's Disease |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2024 |
Publication |
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) |
Abbreviated Journal |
Sensors (Basel) |
| Volume |
24 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
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| Keywords |
Humans; *Parkinson Disease/physiopathology; Pilot Projects; Male; Aged; Female; Quality of Life; Middle Aged; Motor Skills/physiology; Music; Surveys and Questionnaires; Activities of Daily Living; Fingers/physiology/physiopathology; Parkinson's disease; dexterity; force sensors; music; piano; sonification; training; uncontrolled manifold |
| Abstract |
People with Parkinson's disease often show deficits in dexterity, which, in turn, can lead to limitations in performing activities of daily life. Previous studies have suggested that training in playing the piano may improve or prevent a decline in dexterity in this population. In this pilot study, we tested three participants on a six-week, custom, piano-based training protocol, and quantified dexterity before and after the intervention using a sensor-enabled version of the nine-hole peg test, the box and block test, a test of finger synergies using unidimensional force sensors, and the Quantitative Digitography test using a digital piano, as well as selected relevant items from the motor parts of the MDS-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) quality of life questionnaire. The participants showed improved dexterity following the training program in several of the measures used. This pilot study proposes measures that can track changes in dexterity as a result of practice in people with Parkinson's disease and describes a potential protocol that needs to be tested in a larger cohort. |
| Address |
Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel |
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English |
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1424-8220 |
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PMID:38894110; PMCID:PMC11174779 |
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no |
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124 |
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Lowenthal-Raz, J.; Liebermann, D.G.; Friedman, J.; Soroker, N. |
| Title |
Kinematic descriptors of arm reaching movement are sensitive to hemisphere-specific immediate neuromodulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation post stroke |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2024 |
Publication |
Scientific Reports |
Abbreviated Journal |
Sci Rep |
| Volume |
14 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
11971 |
| Keywords |
Humans; *Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/methods; Male; Female; Middle Aged; *Stroke/physiopathology/therapy; Biomechanical Phenomena; Aged; *Arm/physiopathology; *Movement/physiology; *Stroke Rehabilitation/methods; Single-Blind Method; Cross-Over Studies |
| Abstract |
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) exerts beneficial effects on motor recovery after stroke, presumably by enhancement of adaptive neural plasticity. However, patients with extensive damage may experience null or deleterious effects with the predominant application mode of anodal (excitatory) stimulation of the damaged hemisphere. In such cases, excitatory stimulation of the non-damaged hemisphere might be considered. Here we asked whether tDCS exerts a measurable effect on movement quality of the hemiparetic upper limb, following just a single treatment session. Such effect may inform on the hemisphere that should be excited. Using a single-blinded crossover experimental design, stroke patients and healthy control subjects were assessed before and after anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS, each provided during a single session of reaching training (repeated point-to-point hand movement on an electronic tablet). Group comparisons of endpoint kinematics at baseline-number of peaks in the speed profile (NoP; smoothness), hand-path deviations from the straight line (SLD; accuracy) and movement time (MT; speed)-disclosed greater NoP, larger SLD and longer MT in the stroke group. NoP and MT revealed an advantage for anodal compared to sham stimulation of the lesioned hemisphere. NoP and MT improvements under anodal stimulation of the non-lesioned hemisphere correlated positively with the severity of hemiparesis. Damage to specific cortical regions and white-matter tracts was associated with lower kinematic gains from tDCS. The study shows that simple descriptors of movement kinematics of the hemiparetic upper limb are sensitive enough to demonstrate gain from neuromodulation by tDCS, following just a single session of reaching training. Moreover, the results show that tDCS-related gain is affected by the severity of baseline motor impairment, and by lesion topography. |
| Address |
Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. nachum@soroker.online |
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English |
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2045-2322 |
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PMID:38796610; PMCID:PMC11127956 |
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no |
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125 |
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| Author |
Dempsey-Jones, H.; Wesselink, D.B.; Friedman, J.; Makin, T.R. |
| Title |
Organized Toe Maps in Extreme Foot Users |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Cell Reports |
Abbreviated Journal |
Cell Reports |
| Volume |
28 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
2748-2756.e4 |
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| Abstract |
Although the fine-grained features of topographic maps in the somatosensory cortex can be shaped by everyday experience, it is unknown whether behavior can support the expression of somatotopic maps where they do not typically occur. Unlike the fingers, represented in all primates, individuated toe maps have only been found in non-human primates. Using 1-mm resolution fMRI, we identify organized toe maps in two individuals born without either upper limb who use their feet to substitute missing hand function and even support their profession as foot artists. We demonstrate that the ordering and structure of the artists’ toe representation mimics typical hand representation. We further reveal “hand-like” features of activity patterns, not only in the foot area but also similarly in the missing hand area. We suggest humans may have an innate capacity for forming additional topographic maps that can be expressed with appropriate experience. |
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Elsevier |
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2211-1247 |
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doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.027 |
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no |
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Serial |
99 |
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| Author |
Zopf, R.; Friedman, J.; Williams, M.A. |
| Title |
The plausibility of visual information for hand ownership modulates multisensory synchrony perception |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2015 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
Experimental Brain Research |
| Volume |
233 |
Issue |
8 |
Pages |
2311-2321 |
| Keywords |
Multisensory perception; Temporal synchrony perception; Virtual hand; Body representations; Body ownership; Sensory predictions |
| Abstract |
We are frequently changing the position of our bodies and body parts within complex environments. How does the brain keep track of one’s own body? Current models of body ownership state that visual body ownership cues such as viewed object form and orientation are combined with multisensory information to correctly identify one’s own body, estimate its current location and evoke an experience of body ownership. Within this framework, it may be possible that the brain relies on a separate perceptual analysis of body ownership cues (e.g. form, orientation, multisensory synchrony). Alternatively, these cues may interact in earlier stages of perceptual processing—visually derived body form and orientation cues may, for example, directly modulate temporal synchrony perception. The aim of the present study was to distinguish between these two alternatives. We employed a virtual hand set-up and psychophysical methods. In a two-interval force-choice task, participants were asked to detect temporal delays between executed index finger movements and observed movements. We found that body-specifying cues interact in perceptual processing. Specifically, we show that plausible visual information (both form and orientation) for one’s own body led to significantly better detection performance for small multisensory asynchronies compared to implausible visual information. We suggest that this perceptual modulation when visual information plausible for one’s own body is present is a consequence of body-specific sensory predictions. |
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Springer Berlin Heidelberg |
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English |
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0014-4819 |
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no |
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78 |
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