Artificially Induced Mismatch training (AIM) - Mechanisms of effective motor learning.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Carsten Klingner
• Subject Area: Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience ; Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 501182483

The current project examines a new and scientifically based hypothesis on motor learning. We hypothesize that motor learning's potential can be increased by putting the brain in a "ready to learn" state through a specific learning paradigm. This state is induced by an initial paradigm in which the subjects are presented with an artificialsensorimotor mismatch. This mismatch is constantly adjusted to prevent the trainee from adapting successfully. We will test this hypothesis on healthy volunteers as well as on stroke patients. In particular, proposed project aims to investigate the effects ofsustained artificially induced sensor-motor mismatch on motor training. We further aimed to investigate the underlying cerebral mechanisms of this process. The goal is to develop and test the principles of a new motor training paradigm for stroke patients.Objective O1: Develop and test a motor training paradigm in a virtual reality environment that allows “unsuccessful” motor training (motor training without error reduction). Objective O2: Test and compare the behavioral efficacy of this training method in multiple groups (healthy young, healthy old, chronic stroke patients). Objective O3: Study theprincipal mechanisms underlying cerebral adaptation processed due to persistent sensory-motor mismatch. Therefore, we aim to test and refine the existing theoretical model of the effects of sensory-motor mismatch to improve theoretical knowledge about effective motor training strategies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants