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Physiological, Morphological and Neurochemical Characterization of Neurons Modulated by Movement
Published on: April 21, 2011
Mechanosensory modulation of perioral neuronal groups during active force dynamics
R D Andreatta1, S M Barlow, A Biswas
1Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences and Program in Neural Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Mechanical lip stimulation reveals complex sensorimotor responses. The study found that the timing and force of input significantly alter the perioral sensorimotor response, impacting speech motor control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Speech Motor Control
Background:
- The perioral sensorimotor response is crucial for speech production.
- Understanding its spatiotemporal organization is key to understanding speech motor control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal organization of the mechanically evoked perioral sensorimotor response.
- To determine how mechanical input characteristics modulate this response.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a custom linear motor with force feedback to apply mechanical stimuli to the lip.
- Recorded electromyographic (EMG) activity from the orbicularis oris muscle during a lip-rounding task.
- Analyzed responses based on varying rates and phases of force application.
Main Results:
- Mechanically evoked perioral responses exhibited distinct phases of excitation and suppression.
- The primary excitatory component (R1) was modulated by the rate (1 N/s vs. 4 N/s) and phase (20%, 50%, 80%) of force application.
- Later inhibitory (S1) and excitatory (R2) potentials were also influenced by the rate and phase of force recruitment.
Conclusions:
- The perioral sensorimotor response is dynamically organized and sensitive to mechanical input parameters.
- Findings provide insights into the neuronal mechanisms underlying speech motor control.
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