Balancing objects on the feet — An fMRI experiment using the MR-compatible stepper MARCOS

Jaeger, Lukas; Hollnagel, Christoph; Summermatter, Severin; Marchal Crespo, Laura; Michels, Lars; Kollias, Spyros; Riener, Robert (31 August 2012). Balancing objects on the feet — An fMRI experiment using the MR-compatible stepper MARCOS. International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob), pp. 350-354. IEEE 10.1109/BioRob.2012.6290696

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Little is known about the neural correlates underlying the control of highly coordinated bilateral lower limb movements. In this paper we present an fMRI paradigm consisting of balancing a virtual ball rolling on a virtual bar. The subject can control the position of the bar by its lower limbs using the MR-compatible stepper MARCOS. Concurrent visual and force feedback about the state of the physical model of ball and bar is presented to the subject during task execution. In a pilot study, significant cerebellar and parieto-frontal activity was found, according to physiological expectations, demonstrating the feasibility of the experimental set-up. Further experiments will help to better understand human motor control as well as to develop more targeted rehabilitation strategies for patients with neurological movement disorders of the lower limbs.

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