Laboratories For The Study Of Motor Control

Drs. John Krakauer and Pietro Mazzoni — (212) 543-5410

The neurological mechanisms underlying the initiation and control of reaching movement are studied by kinematic, electromyographic analyses, PET, and fMRI in normal humans and patients with cerebral or cerebellar lesions. Deficits in kinematic control are analyzed following a variety of focal lesions, typically stroke. Recovery and restoration of function are emphasized.

Dr. Seth Pullman — (212) 305-1331

Clinical neurophysiologic techniques are used to quantify motor disability and study motor control in patients with neurologic disease. These techniques include kinesiologic and EMG methods; reaction and movement time analyses; transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cortex in conjunction with peripheral stimuli; evoked craniofacial and limb evoked motor recovery curves after multiple stimuli; and backaveraging techniques linking EEG to EMG activity. The effects of treatment such as use of intramuscular botulinum toxin injection are also evaluated using physiologic methods. Artificial neural network and engineering techniques are being developed to analyze and quantify movement disorders.