Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Coupling the neural and physical dynamics in rhythmic movements

N G Hatsopoulos¹

¹Division of Biology, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.

Neural Computation

|April 1, 1996

Summary

This study shows that motor behaviors emerge from interactions between neural and physical dynamics. Sensory feedback and limb mechanics significantly influence oscillation frequency and system dynamics.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Motor somatotopy impacts imagery strategy success in human intracortical brain-computer interfaces.

Journal of neural engineering·2025

Same author

Motor somatotopy impacts imagery strategy success in human intracortical brain-computer interfaces.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2024

Same author

Primary sensorimotor cortex exhibits complex dependencies of spike-field coherence on neuronal firing rates, field power, and behavior.

Journal of neurophysiology·2018

Same author

Directional information from neuronal ensembles in the primate orofacial sensorimotor cortex.

Journal of neurophysiology·2013

Same author

Behavioral demonstration of a somatosensory neuroprosthesis.

IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society·2013

Same author

Excess synchrony in motor cortical neurons provides redundant direction information with that from coarse temporal measures.

Journal of neurophysiology·2001

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomechanics
Robotics

Background:

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are neural circuits responsible for rhythmic motor patterns.
The interaction between CPGs and peripheral mechanics is crucial for understanding motor control.

Purpose of the Study:

To simulate and analyze the dynamics of a coupled central pattern generator (CPG) and a pendular limb system.
To investigate the influence of sensory feedback and system parameters on motor behavior.

Main Methods:

Numerical integration of a van der Pol oscillator (CPG) coupled with a linearized spring-pendulum system (limb).
Modulation of CPG frequency by limb dynamics and vice versa.
Analysis of oscillation frequency, phase relationships, and system response to parameter changes.

Main Results:

Sensory feedback lowers oscillation frequency; reduced muscle gain decreases frequency monotonically.
CPG output consistently led limb angular displacement by 90 degrees.
Coupled system frequency tuned to limb resonance and resisted changes in CPG endogenous frequency.

Conclusions:

Motor behavior emerges from the interplay between neural and physical system dynamics.
Sensory feedback and peripheral mechanics are critical modulators of CPG-driven movements.
The model supports the hypothesis of emergent motor control through coupled neural and physical interactions.

Related Experiment Videos