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Updating of an internal model without proprioception: a deafferentation study
Pierre-Michel Bernier1, Romeo Chua, Chantal Bard
1School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Neuroreport
|August 26, 2006
Summary
Proprioception is not essential for adapting to new movement conditions. A deafferented patient adapted similarly to controls, suggesting other sensory inputs update motor control models.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Sensory Integration
Background:
- Proprioception, the sense of body position and movement, is crucial for motor control.
- Internal models predict movement outcomes, but their reliance on intact proprioception is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if intact proprioception is necessary for adapting to altered visual feedback during reaching movements.
- To compare motor adaptation in a deafferented patient versus healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed reaching movements with a 30-degree visual-rotational perturbation.
- Adaptation rates, extent, and aftereffects were measured in a deafferented patient and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- The deafferented patient adapted to the visual rotation at rates and extents comparable to healthy controls.
- Significant aftereffects were observed in the patient upon removal of the visual perturbation.
Conclusions:
- Intact proprioception is not an absolute requirement for updating kinematic internal models.
- Motor adaptation likely relies on comparing predicted sensory consequences (forward model) with actual visual feedback.
