Protocol Number: 09-N-0098

Title:

Exploring a Motor Learning Technique Based on the Mirror Motor Neuron System

Number:

09-N-0098

Summary:

Objective

Humans develop skilled movements such as using a spoon or dancing a waltz through a process known as motor learning. Harnessing this innate process for its therapeutic potential is an attractive strategy to help patients suffering from diseases of movement disorders, yet we do not yet fully understand the normal phenomenon. This study will utilize a new paradigm to explore the physiology of motor learning. It will test the validity of a traditional motor learning task that has been modified to invoke the mirror neuron system. Additionally, by taking advantage of the unique opportunity to assess motor learning awareness immediately following the task, it will also explore this behavioral-cognitive relationship. Thus, this work will lay the foundation for further physiologic characterization of a novel motor learning technique and may support the development of future therapies.

Study Population

We will study twenty healthy, right-handed volunteers who are 18 to 50 years old.

Design

Volunteers will participate in a reaction time task. Seated in front of a computer monitor with their right hands on a keyboard, volunteers will respond to visual cues presented on the monitor by pressing the associated, finger-specific keys as quickly and accurately as possible. Each volunteer will be presented only the standard visuospatial or the novel mirror cues, defining the two reaction time task paradigms and experimental groups. In addition to the motor learning task, volunteers will have the option to participate in genetic testing for normal genetic variability that may affect motor learning.

Outcome Measure

The primary outcomes are motor learning and awareness, which will be measured by the key-press reaction time and accuracy, respectively.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: Yes

Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

-Age 18-50 years

-Right-handedness

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

-Arthritis or other physically limiting disability, amputation, or significant trauma of either hand

-Professional musician or stenographer

-Persistent neurologic deficit of cognition, movement, or sensation or any history of a central nervous system lesion

-Regular use of any neurotropic or psychotropic medication (e.g., narcotic analgesic, anxiolytic, anti-histamine) or any use within twenty-four hours of the motor learning task.

-Blindness or visual acuity lower than necessary to distinguish visual stimuli on the display monitor

-Impaired decisional capacity or inability to provide informed consent

-Previous experience with a serial reaction time task type of study

Special Instructions:

Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Motor Learning

Mirror Neurons

Recruitment Keyword(s):

None

Condition(s):

Healthy

Volunteer

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Contact(s):

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citation(s):

Abrahamse EL, Verwey WB. Context dependent learning in the serial RT task. Psychol Res. 2008 Jul;72(4):397-404. Epub 2007 Aug 3.

Ashe J, Lungu OV, Basford AT, Lu X. Cortical control of motor sequences. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2006 Apr;16(2):213-21. Epub 2006 Mar 24. Review.

Bird G, Osman M, Saggerson A, Heyes C. Sequence learning by action, observation and action observation. Br J Psychol. 2005 Aug;96(Pt 3):371-88.

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Clinical Research Informatics, CC.

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