Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The ability to respond to task demands with goal-directed movement is essential in many daily activities. Movement efficiency depends on the processing of environmental stimuli within a given context. Two such processing mechanisms are central set and motor preparation. This study evaluated the neural correlates of central set and motor preparation and how these processes allow humans to process contextual cues to optimize movements. It was hypothesized that cTBS would decrease movement efficiency in conditions that suppress central set, but not for conditions that facilitate it. Twelve healthy participants completed a response-time task involving Go/NoGo conditions. The contribution of PMd to movement optimization was assessed by examining changes in response time, EMG activity, and pre-movement-EEG. Results showed that differences in preparatory EEG between both conditions pre- and post-cTBS may depend on individual strategy. Improvements in movement efficiency during the NoGo condition suggest central set properties even during situations of task uncertainty.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Daniel Cheung
Language: English
Topic: Motor Control and Adaptation
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2613571672