Force generation

fMRI has been used to investigate the relationship between brain activity and the strength of a force generated at the wrist. The aim was to determine which fMRI measures of brain activity would relate most closely to neuronal acitivity. Some of the results of this work have been applied to studies of stroke recovery patients.

Special equipment was developed to monitor the force produce by the subjects.

Various novel methods of analyzing fMRI data were developed, for instance histogram analysis allowed us to distinguish bewteen spreading areas of activation, and increasing activation in a limited area.

The experiments performed in this research are performed on a 3 T head scanner.

A piece of equipment for force generation consisting of a non-magnetic plastic plate connected to a device for immobilizing the forearm, and an air filled pressure pad (at back of hand).

Activation maps produced by different correlation methods Standard Correlation Correlation with force output Correlation with absolute change of force

One of the key findings has been that the time-to-peak of the HDR varies as the strength of the applied force is changed.

Researchers

The following people are involved in this research area:

Penny Gowland, Andy Peters
Magnetic Resonance Centre

Jennie Newton, Alan Sunderland
Division of Stroke Medicine