Basal ganglia and kinematics modulation: insights from Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

ABSTRACT: Movement kinematic variables related to force production can be modulated to respond appropriately to different contexts. We previously showed that in a choice-reaction time and a predictable timed-response task, normal subjects perform reaching movements to the same targets with two different kinematic patterns, a marker of flexibility. Here, we used the two tasks to determine whether basal ganglia are involved in the selection and modulation of movement kinematics and therefore in flexible force production. We tested seventeen patients in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, eleven pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease carriers and sixteen age-matched normal controls with the above-mentioned motor tasks. In both patient groups, the difference in kinematics (movement duration, peak vel

SUBMITTER: Moisello C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3167928 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature