An fMRI-compatible force measurement system for the evaluation of the neural correlates of step initiation

• DOI: 10.1038/srep43088
• Publication Date: 2017-02-23T10:24:24Z
• Authors: Andrea Cristina d...; Raymundo Machado ...; Daniel Boari Coelho; Catarina Costa Bo...; Sukhwinder S. She...; Carolina de Olive...; Rachael Brant; Egberto Reis Barbosa; Ellison Fernando ...; Luis Augusto Teix...; Rajal G. Cohen; Fay Bahling Horak; Edson Amaro
• Keywords: Male; 05 social sciences; Motor Cortex; Parkinson Disease; Middle Aged; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Article; Humans; Female; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Gait; Postural Balance; Aged; Mechanical Phenomena

Abstract Knowledge of brain correlates postural control is limited by the technical difficulties in performing controlled experiments with currently available neuroimaging methods. Here we present a system that allows measurement anticipatory adjustment human legs to be synchronized acquisition functional magnetic resonance imaging data. The device composed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatible force sensors able measure level applied both feet. We tested group healthy young subjects and elderly Parkinson’s disease using an event-related MRI (fMRI) experiment design. In groups behavior inside was correlated during gait initiation outside scanner. did not produce noticeable artifacts Healthy people showed activation patterns coherent movement planning. patients demonstrated altered pattern within motor circuitry. concluded this index normal abnormal preparation for fMRI experiment.