Motor learning and the functional role of the cerebellum

Motor learning and the functional role of the cerebellum

Research Area:

Clinical Movement Control and real-life Behavior Analysis for Assistive Systems

Researchers:

Nicolas Ludolph; Winfried Ilg; Martin A. Giese;

Collaborators:

Stefan Gries; Ludger Schöls; Matthis Synofzik; Dagmar Timmann; Daniel Braun (MPI for Biological Cybernetics); USA) Boston Dagmar Sternad (North Eastern University
  

Description:

 

The successful restauration of function in patientsthrough rehabilitation training is essentially based on sensorimotor learning. We have shown in previous work that even patients with cerebellar dysfunctions substantially profit from motor learning (Ilg et al. 2009), and that different cerebellar regions contribute differentially to the relevant sensorimotor couplings (Christensen et al. 2014; see figure). Opposed to the traditional view of learning in motor control, recent results support the view that motor learning is supported by a whole range of processes, whose involvement is critically dependent on the learning task. We thus investigate the processes of motor learning in healthy controls as well as in neurological topic.

One approach to address this question is to contrast error-based learning  with reinforcement learning in motor control. We study the influence of schedules for the incremental variation of task difficulty on reward-based learning for a cart-pole balancing task (see Figure). Exploiting a Virtual Reality setup, participants need to balance a pole by shifting the simulated cart right or left. The dynamics of the simulated mechanical  model of the cart-pole can be modified, allowing for a incremental variation  of task difficulty and for the testing of different types of simulated mechanical environments. The same type of experiment is also realized with cerebellar ataxia patients in order to study the contribution of the cerebellum to this type of learning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another study addresses the improvement of whole-body balance on a balance platform (whole-body dynamic balance task). Participants have to optimize their balance performance in two sessions on consecutive days. The success of this training is evaluated by quantitative movement analysis involving whole-body measurement using the KINECT sensor and tilt angle of the balance platform. In combination with transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) we investigate the involvement of the cerebellum during initial learning and consolidation phases.

 

 

Publications

Ludolph, N., Pölger, J., Giese, M. A. & Ilg, W. (2017). Motor expertise facilitates the precision of state extrapolation in perception. In PLoS ONE 12 (11), e0187666. [More] 
Ludolph, N., Giese, M. A. & Ilg, W. (2017). Interacting Learning Processes during Skill Acquisition. Learning to control with gradually changing system dynamics. In Scientific reports, 7(1), 325. [More] 
Steiner, K., Endres, A., Thier, W., Batsikadze, G., Ludolph, N., Ilg, W. et al. (2016). Cerebellar tDCS does not improve learning in a complex whole body dynamic balance task in young healthy subjects. PLoS ONE, 11(9). [More] 
Ludolph, N., Giese, M. A., Mueller, O. M., Goericke, S. L., Ernst, T., Timmann, D. et al (2016). Cerebellar regions involved in fine motor control and learning to control dynamic objects. NCM 2016, Montego Bay, Jamaica . [More] 
Thier, W., Ludolph, N., Ilg, W. & Timmann, D (2014). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the midline cerebellum does not facilitate learning of a complex whole body dynamic balance task . [More] 
Ludolph, N., Giese, M. A. & Ilg, W (2014). Influence of the training schedule on intermanual transfer in the cart‐pole balancing task SFN 2014, Washington D.C., USA. [More] 
Christensen, A., Giese, M. A., Sultan, F., Mueller, O. M., Goericke, S. L., Ilg, W. et al. (2014). An intact action-perception coupling depends on the integrity of the cerebellum. Journal of Neuroscience, 34(19), 6707-16. [More] 
Synofzik, M. & Ilg, W. (2014). Motor training in degenerative spinocerebellar disease: ataxia-specific improvements by intensive physiotherapy and exergames. BioMed Research International, 2014, 11. [More] 
Ludolph, N., Giese, M. A. & Ilg, W (2013). Influence of different task conditions on reward-based motor learning of cart-pole balancing SFN 2013, San Diego, USA.. [More] 
Ilg, W., Christensen, A., Mueller, O. M., Goericke, S. L., Giese, M. A. & Timmann, D. (2013). Effects of cerebellar lesions on working memory interacting with motor tasks of different complexities. Journal of Neurophysiology, 110(10). [More] 
Ilg, W. & Timmann, D. (2013). General Management of Cerebellar Disorders: An Overview. In: Handbook of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders editors: M. Manto, D. Gruol, J. Schmahmann, N. Koibuchi, F. Rossi, Springer, 2349-2368. [More] 
Ilg, W., Christensen, A., Mueller, O. M., Goericke, S. L., Giese, M. A. & Timmann, D (2011). The influence of focal cerebellar lesions on a working memory task with and without walking Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Washington DC, USA. [More] 
Christensen, A., Giese, M. A., Mueller, O. M., Goericke, S. L., Timmann, D. & Ilg, W (2011). Cerebellar involvement in the facilitation of action perception by concurrent motor activity Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Washington DC, USA. [More] 
Timmann, D., Konczak, J., Ilg, W., Donchin, O., Hermsdörfer, J., Gizewski, E. R. et al. (2009). Current advances in lesion-symptom mapping of the human cerebellum. Neuroscience, 162(3), 836-851. [More] 
Timmann, D., Brandauer, B., Hermsdörfer, J., Ilg, W., Konczak, J., Gerwig, M. et al. (2008). Lesion-Symptom Mapping of the Human Cerebellum. Cerebellum, 7(4), 602-6. [More] 
Ilg, W., Giese, M. A., Gizewski, E. R., Schoch, B. & Timmann, D. (2008). The influence of focal lesions of the cerebellum on the control and adaptation of gait. Brain, 131(Pt. 11), 2913-27. [More] 
Ilg, W., Golla, H., Wiestler, T., Thier, P. & Giese, M. A. (2004). To the Impact of the Cerebellum for inter-joint Coordination. Annual Meeting on Neural Movement Control. Sitges, Spain. [More]