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 Cortical Motor Control Laboratory

Prof. Dr. Dr. Rumyana Kristeva phone: +49 (0)761 270-54110 rumyana.kristeva@uniklinik-freiburg.de selected publications

The general mission of the Cortical Motor Control Laboratory is to understand the physiology of human voluntary movement and the pathophysiology of certain involuntary movements (in Parkinson’s disease, writer's and musician's cramp, tics and myoclonus). Main techniques employed are high-resolution electroencephalography (EEG) (64 channels), neuroimaging with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and biomechanics.

Specifically we study the oscillatory activity in the human motor system, particularly the synchronization between motor areas and the muscle during various static and dynamic forces. We also investigate the neural basis of the improvement in motor performance caused by the stochastic resonance phenomenon.

Current projects:

1. DFG Project: "Mechanisms and functions of the corticomuscular coherence"

   The long term goal of this project is to understand the generation and the function of the oscillatory activity in the human motor system. During the past period of this grant, we succeeded in (1) showing that the functional significance of the beta-range coherence is effective communication between cortical motor areas and muscles; and (2) demonstrating that dynamic force output is related to gamma-range cortico-muscular coherence. The specific aim of this research proposal is to investigate further the functional significance of the cortico-muscular coherence, focusing on the modulation of the gamma-range coherence by various parameters of dynamic force output (magnitude, frequency, predictable vs. unpredictable dynamic force output). We will also investigate the correlation of the gamma-range coherence with the performance. We will address these questions by recording scalp EEG in healthy subjects and ECoG in epileptic patients with implanted grid electrodes. In addition to the cortico-muscular coherence, we will investigate the cortico-cortical coherence to elucidate the functional relationship between both neuronal networks (cortico-muscular and cortico-cortical).

2. DFG Project: "Internal stochastic resonance in the human sensorimotor system: Noise-enhanced neural control of movement"

   The long-term goal of this project is to increase human sensorimotor performance using the stochastic resonance phenomenon that is manifest in non-linear systems whereby weak signals can be amplified by a particular level of noise. The specific aim of this research proposal is to test the hypothesis that the internal noise generated by external tactile-proprioceptive or electric noise on the human finger can produce an internal stochastic resonance in the sensorimotor system (within the corticospinal circuits as well as in the frontoparietal network) which results in increased corticomuscular (EEG-EMG), corticocortical (EEG-EEG) coherence and better performance. We intend to test this hypothesis by using a visuomotor task that requires precision of the isometric compensation for static or dynamic forces and recording scalp EEG (64 chns) in 20 healthy subjects and ECoG in 5 epileptic patients with implanted grid electrodes. The significance of the proposed research is twofold – its findings can be applied, on the one hand, in the development of haptic systems in robots with feedback and control, and on the other, in clinical examinations of the integrity of the sensorimotor system in humans. Last but not least, the proposed research will show for the first time whether the internal stochastic resonance phenomena play a functional role in the sensorimotor system in humans.

3. Dance for Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers: A bridge between science and society, a bridge between neuroscience and art: 
   • Click here to watch a Video of a dance session
   

   Individuals with Parkinson´s disease (PD) mainly suffer from motor impairments which increase the risk of falls and lead to a decline of quality of life. Several studies investigated the long-term effect of dance for people with PD. The aims of the present study were to investigate (i) the short-term effects of dance (i.e. the effect immediately after the dance class) on motor control in individuals with PD and (ii) the long-term effects of 8 months of participation in the weekly dance class on the quality of life of the PD patients and their caregivers. The dance lessons took place in a ballet studio and were led by a professional dancer. Eleven people with moderate to severe PD (58-85 years old) were subjected to a motor and quality of life assessments. With respect to the motor assessments the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale III (UPDRS III), the Timed up and go – Test (TUG) and the Semitandem – Test (SeTa) before and after the dance class were used. With respect to the quality of life and well-being we applied Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) as well as the Westheimer questionnaire. Additionally, we asked the caregivers to fill out the Questionnaire for caregivers. We found a significant beneficial short-term effect for the total score of the UPDRS motor score. The strongest improvements were in rigidity scores followed by significant improvements in hand movements, finger taps and facial expression. No significant changes were found for TUG and for SeTA. The results of the questionnaires showed positive effects of the dance class on social life, health, body-feeling and mobility, and on every day life competences of the PD patients. Beneficial effect was also found for the caregivers. The findings demonstrate that dance has beneficial effect on the functional mobility of individuals with PD. Further, dance improves the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. Dance may lead to better therapeutic strategies as it is engaging and enjoyable.

   • Bericht in der Badischen Zeitung vom 15.2.2010: Schönheit. Anmut. Freude. Ein bundesweit einmaliges Projekt: Die Freiburger Neurophysiologin Rumyana Kristeva organisiert Ballettstunden für Parkinsonkranke.
   

Preise

• Dr. Wolfgang Omlor was awarded “Albrecht-Fleckenstein-Stiftung award for the best doctoral thesis at the medical faculty, Freiburg” for the year 2010.
• Mathias Witte was awarded for the best diploma thesis at the faculty of biology for the year 2007

Collaborators

Doctoral students

External Collaborators

Selected publications