Experimental and computational assessment of the mechanical, musculo-skeletal and neuromuscular contributions to rhythmic multi-joint arm movements. The human body is a complex mechanical system that is controlled by a vast neural network comprising many millions of connections. To date, realistic descriptions of the interactions between these neuro-mechanical features have proved elusive. This project seeks to develop a mathematical model that accurately describes the essential features of the ....Experimental and computational assessment of the mechanical, musculo-skeletal and neuromuscular contributions to rhythmic multi-joint arm movements. The human body is a complex mechanical system that is controlled by a vast neural network comprising many millions of connections. To date, realistic descriptions of the interactions between these neuro-mechanical features have proved elusive. This project seeks to develop a mathematical model that accurately describes the essential features of the control system for human movement, and yet is simple enough to inform the design of artificial devices to generate or assist movement. The knowledge derived should improve mechanical and neural prosthetic systems, and guide rehabilitation protocols. The work will ultimately provide a considerable benefit to the community by reducing the social cost of a range of movement disorders.Read moreRead less
An inverse control approach to resolving the neural basis of spatial and muscular dependencies in coordinated multi-limb movements. Each year 48,000 Australians suffer from stroke with many survivors left with problems that limit limb function. With reduced duration of hospital care, the opportunities for retraining in the period immediate following stroke are rapidly diminishing. Effective and efficient strategies of rehabilitation that will maximise the level of recovery following stroke will ....An inverse control approach to resolving the neural basis of spatial and muscular dependencies in coordinated multi-limb movements. Each year 48,000 Australians suffer from stroke with many survivors left with problems that limit limb function. With reduced duration of hospital care, the opportunities for retraining in the period immediate following stroke are rapidly diminishing. Effective and efficient strategies of rehabilitation that will maximise the level of recovery following stroke will result in benefits expressed in terms of enhanced quality of life and functional life-span, as well as significantly reduced costs of health care. In understanding the fundamental principles underlying the stability and adaptability of movement coordination, this research is likely to make a significant contribution to the design of programs for movement rehabilitation.Read moreRead less
Cortical Mechanisms Mediating Bilateral Interactions Between the Upper Limbs. Each year 40,000 Australians suffer from stroke with many survivors left with problems that limit limb function. With reduced duration of hospital care, the opportunities for retraining in the period immediate following stroke are rapidly diminishing. Effective and efficient strategies of rehabilitation that will maximise the level of recovery following stroke will result in benefits expressed in terms of enhanced qual ....Cortical Mechanisms Mediating Bilateral Interactions Between the Upper Limbs. Each year 40,000 Australians suffer from stroke with many survivors left with problems that limit limb function. With reduced duration of hospital care, the opportunities for retraining in the period immediate following stroke are rapidly diminishing. Effective and efficient strategies of rehabilitation that will maximise the level of recovery following stroke will result in benefits expressed in terms of enhanced quality of life and functional life-span, as well as significantly reduced costs of health care. In understanding the fundamental principles underlying the stability and adaptability of movement coordination, this research is likely to make a significant contribution to the design of programs for rehabilitation of the upper limb.Read moreRead less
The neural basis of interlimb coordination. The aims of the proposed research program are to increase our understanding the control of voluntary movement. It is expected that the outcomes of this research program will have eventual application to a number of acquired movement deficits, in particular those arising from spinal cord and brain injury. This research will also be of diagnostic value in determining the integrity of the motor pathways, in both acquired and developmental movement disorde ....The neural basis of interlimb coordination. The aims of the proposed research program are to increase our understanding the control of voluntary movement. It is expected that the outcomes of this research program will have eventual application to a number of acquired movement deficits, in particular those arising from spinal cord and brain injury. This research will also be of diagnostic value in determining the integrity of the motor pathways, in both acquired and developmental movement disorders.Read moreRead less
Spatio-Temporal Precision of Interceptive Action. Interceptive actions like hitting a moving target require precise, accurate positioning and timing. This project aims to empirically document how spatial and temporal constraints affect performance of interceptions and to quantify the speed-accuracy trade-off for interceptions. The speed-accuracy trade-off for movements aimed at stationary targets has been extensively documented - slower movements are more accurate. There has been no correspondin ....Spatio-Temporal Precision of Interceptive Action. Interceptive actions like hitting a moving target require precise, accurate positioning and timing. This project aims to empirically document how spatial and temporal constraints affect performance of interceptions and to quantify the speed-accuracy trade-off for interceptions. The speed-accuracy trade-off for movements aimed at stationary targets has been extensively documented - slower movements are more accurate. There has been no corresponding documentation for interception. This project will fill the gap and provide a rich data set for developing an understanding of interception through modeling work. An understanding of the factors governing interception has potential applications in road safety, sports and neurological rehabilitation.Read moreRead less
Exploiting high resolution images of the retina to customise vision tests. This project will make vision tests more accurate and faster by using a person's individual eye anatomy to customise the test. The basic understandings discovered in this project are expected to be applied in clinical and research settings thus saving sight, dollars and time.
Smart algorithms for visual field assessment. Australian demographic studies show that visual impairment contributes significantly to elderly disability. Visual field loss due to glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in developed nations, may be slowed if detected early, but recent studies estimate 50% of Australians with glaucoma are undiagnosed. The fast and effective approaches to measuring visual fields discovered in this project will allow more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of ....Smart algorithms for visual field assessment. Australian demographic studies show that visual impairment contributes significantly to elderly disability. Visual field loss due to glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in developed nations, may be slowed if detected early, but recent studies estimate 50% of Australians with glaucoma are undiagnosed. The fast and effective approaches to measuring visual fields discovered in this project will allow more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of vision loss; crucial for the ARC's priority goals of "ageing well, ageing productively" and "preventative healthcare". Developing smart algorithms in conjunction with Heidelberg Engineering creates an opportunity for the international promotion of Australia's biomedical software capabilities.Read moreRead less
Cerebral plasticity or early vulnerability? Identifying critical periods for childhood development and recovery. The primary aim of the study is to identify critical time periods during brain development when an insult will have more deleterious consequences for recovery and outcome. The study will also examine the impact of other potential influences to recovery following early brain disease, and determine whether their impact varies across development. Finally, the study will investigate wh ....Cerebral plasticity or early vulnerability? Identifying critical periods for childhood development and recovery. The primary aim of the study is to identify critical time periods during brain development when an insult will have more deleterious consequences for recovery and outcome. The study will also examine the impact of other potential influences to recovery following early brain disease, and determine whether their impact varies across development. Finally, the study will investigate whether specific cognitive and behavioural domains are differentially effected, depending on their maturity at the time of brain insult. Findings from this study will inform the development of conceptual models of early brain insult and recovery of function, and contribute to clinical practice.Read moreRead less
Learning from errors: examining the neural mechanisms underlying performance monitoring and adaptive behaviour. This project aims to contribute to current scientific thinking on how the brain mechanisms underlying error processing influence adaptive behaviour. Self-recognition of errors deteriorates in many clinical conditions and is a predictor of poor prognostic outcome. However, it remains unclear how such dysfunction leads to the failure to adapt behaviour.
New, Efficient Tests That Map Both Central and Peripheral Vision. This project seeks to develop a new, combined approach for quantifying both central and peripheral vision with a single test. Current methods for testing far peripheral vision are not efficient and not fully automated. Yet peripheral vision is important for tasks involving navigation and hazard avoidance such as driving. The project intends to invent and test new approaches to sampling and measuring the spatial extent of vision. T ....New, Efficient Tests That Map Both Central and Peripheral Vision. This project seeks to develop a new, combined approach for quantifying both central and peripheral vision with a single test. Current methods for testing far peripheral vision are not efficient and not fully automated. Yet peripheral vision is important for tasks involving navigation and hazard avoidance such as driving. The project intends to invent and test new approaches to sampling and measuring the spatial extent of vision. The anticipated algorithms will be more accurate and efficient than current tests, will be suitable for older adults, and will enable ready assessment of vision for occupational tasks.Read moreRead less