An fMRI-compatible force measurement system for the evaluation of the neural correlates of step initiation

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de Lima-Pardini, Andrea Cristina ; de Azevedo Neto, Raymundo Machado ; Coelho, Daniel Boari ; Boffino, Catarina Costa ; Shergill, Sukhwinder S. ; Souza, Carolina de Oliveira ; Brant, Rachael ; Barbosa, Egberto Reis ; Cardoso, Ellison Fernando ; Teixeira, Luis Augusto ; Cohen, Rajal G. ; Horak, Fay Bahling ; Amaro, Jr., Edson

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 7, FEB 23 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Knowledge of brain correlates of postural control is limited by the technical difficulties in performing controlled experiments with currently available neuroimaging methods. Here we present a system that allows the measurement of anticipatory postural adjustment of human legs to be synchronized with the acquisition of functional magnetic resonance imaging data. The device is composed of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatible force sensors able to measure the level of force applied by both feet. We tested the device in a group of healthy young subjects and a group of elderly subjects with Parkinson's disease using an event-related functional MRI (fMRI) experiment design. In both groups the postural behavior inside the magnetic resonance was correlated to the behavior during gait initiation outside the scanner. The system did not produce noticeable imaging artifacts in the data. Healthy young people showed brain activation patterns coherent with movement planning. Parkinson's disease patients demonstrated an altered pattern of activation within the motor circuitry. We concluded that this force measurement system is able to index both normal and abnormal preparation for gait initiation within an fMRI experiment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/15256-0 - Cortical Control of Coupling Between Posture and Gait in Parkinson's disease
• Grantee: Andréa Cristina de Lima Pardini
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate