Units

NeuroMove - Laboratory of Movement Neurophysiology

The foundation of NeuroMove (Neurophysiology Movement Laboratory) is based on movement as a research focus and as an experimental tool. At the same time, movement is a fundamental human function and, it serves as a unique exploratory probe allowing the investigation of sensori-motor, cognitive, and emotional processes and their mechanisms. By integrating advanced and complementary methodologies, through both peripheral and central physiological signals, we examine the dynamic interactions between the brain and muscles across sensory and motor domains, from perception to action and vice-versa, in a variety of environmental, state-related, and clinical contexts.

NeuroMove is composed of four full-time professors, two professors emeriti, fourteen PhD students, one postdoctoral researcher, seven scientific collaborators, and one visiting researcher. The team is supported by three technicians from the faculty.

Links : http://www.brainsociety.eu
Fonds Leibu

Projetcs

Insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms of brain–peripheral couplings and relevance for motor performances

How the brain orchestrates sensorimotor control of various motor acts is still unclear. Of potential relevance to sensorimotor control are two brain–peripheral coupling phenomena: Corticokinematic coupling (CKC), the coupling between brain and repetitive movement kinematics, and corticomuscular coupling (CMC), the coupling between brain and muscle activity at 20 Hz mainly seen during steady muscle contractions. 
Both couplings can be revealed with scalp electrophysiological recordings such as EEG and MEG. 
This project draws on movement biomechanics approaches to answer 3 major neuroscience questions: Which aspects of the communication between the brain and the periphery do CKC and CMC support? 
To which extent these couplings are functionally/behaviorally relevant? And what is the role of the cerebellum in maintaining these couplings? 
The key innovative element is the focus on the low frequency oscillations, which hold the promise of being the medium of proprioceptive signaling, a central component of the most promising theory of sensorimotor control.

Collaborations : Thomas Legrand, Scott Mongold, Gilles Naeije, Xavier De Tiège