|
|
|
4 YEAR PhD IN NEUROSCIENCE
Roger Lemon
Institute of Neurology
Motor control
Our interests centre on the contribution of different motor areas of the cerebral cortex to the control of skilled hand and finger movements. We use a combination of neurophysiological, neuroanatomical and behavioral approaches. We are also using non-invasive methods (PET, MEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in man.
References:
Cerri, G. Shimazu, H. Maier, M A. Lemon, R N. (2003)
Facilitation from ventral premotor cortex of primary motor cortex outputs to macaque hand muscles.
J. Neurophysiol.90,832-842.
Brochier, T., Spinks, R.L., Umilta, M.A. & Lemon, R.N. (2004)
Patterns of muscle activity underlying object-specific grasp by the macaque monkey.
J. Neurophysiol. 92(3):1770-82.
Shimazu, H., Maier M.A., Cerri, G., Kirkwood, P.A. & Lemon, R.N. (2004)
Macaque ventral premotor cortex exerts powerful facilitation of motor cortex outputs to upper limb motoneurons.
J. Neurosci. 24, 1200-1211.
AVAILABLE PROJECTS
Premotor-motor cortex interactions during tool use by the macaque monkey
This project will investigate synaptic interactions between two regions of the cerebral cortex: the ventral premotor (area F5) and primary motor cortex (M1). These interactions are thought to be important for the visual guidance of grasp, for example shaping the hand to grip a pen or tool. The investigations will include recording from populations of neurons in these cortical areas while monkeys perform a task that involves use of a simple tool, a wooden rake, to collect food rewards. We know that a particular type of motor cortical neurone, the cortico-motoneuronal cell, is particularly common in primate species that can perform skilled hand movements and in particular, use tools. The project would, for the first time, seek evidence that these neurones are particularly active during tool use, and investigate how they contribute to performance of the rake task. The project would include training in behavioural techniques, single and multiple unit neurophysiology and analysis of neurophysiological data.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Kilner, J.M., Baker, S.N. Baker, Salenius, S., Jousmaki, V. Hari, R., Lemon, R.N. (1999)
Task-dependent modulation of 15-30 Hz coherence between rectified EMGs from human hand and forearm muscles.
J.Physiol. 516, 559-570.
Baker, S.N., Kilner, J.M., Pinches, E.M., Lemon, R.N. (1999)
The role of synchrony and oscillations in the motor output.
Exp. Brain Res. (in press).
Baker, S.N. Lemon, R.N. (1998)
Computer simulation of post-spike facilitation in spike-triggered averages of rectified EMG.
J.Neurophysiol. 80:1391-1406.
Lemon, R.N. (1997)
Mechanisms of cortical control of hand function.
The Neuroscientist 3: 389-398.
More: http://www.imn.ucl.ac.uk/main/Research%20Profiles/Lemon-RP.htm
Back to list of supervisors
