Improving motor performance and motor learning of mice and men

Lab Description

Motor impairments are the most common deficits caused by stroke. Although standard revalidation efforts are used to facilitate recovery after stroke, additional interventions are necessary to further regain motor function and avoid limitation in mobility. A quick start of the revalidation process after the stroke is important in order to maximize the recovery of the motor skills/coordination. Improving motor learning capacity could aid this revalidation process. The initial phase of the motor learning process is mainly regulated by the olivo-cerebellar system. Improving motor learning capacity by manipulating the olivo-cerebellar system could help the revalidation process.

The olivo-cerebellar system can be targeted by specific drugs, which can result in a decrease or increase of motor performance and motor learning. Testing specific medicine or food supplements on mice can lead to a better functional comprehension of the olivo-cerebellar system, motor performance and motor learning. Beneficial effects of medicine and food supplements  on motor performances and motor learning of mice will then be tested on healthy subjects using similar motor performance and motor learning tasks.