MedTrace Logo

Exploring a Motor Learning Technique Based on the Mirror Motor Neuron System

NCT00872183 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 76

Last updated 2017-07-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background:

* Techniques that teach finger movements are commonly used to explore how humans learn to move. Researchers have designed a simple, new method of learning finger movements, which will be explored for the first time in this study. The method is based on how individuals mimic other people's movements.
* Previous studies have shown that a brain protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be important in movement and in learning. There are normal variations in the gene for BDNF. As an optional component, this study will also look at whether these gene variations are associated with differences in movement learning.

Objectives:

* To compare the new motor learning technique with a classic technique to test its usefulness.
* To examine whether genetic variations have an effect on motor learning.

Eligibility:

* Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 50, who are right-handed.

Design:

* The study will involve two visits to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
* Visit 1: Medical and neurologic examination to determine whether the volunteer is eligible to participate further in the study. This screening visit will take about 1 hour.
* Visit 2: Volunteers will perform a motor learning task by interacting with a computer program. In response to images on the computer monitor, volunteers will press buttons on the keyboard as quickly and accurately as possible. The motor learning task will last up to 3 hours.
* If a volunteer agrees to genetic testing, researchers will also draw blood for study. Genetic testing is not required to participate in the motor learning parts of the study.

Conditions

  • Healthy

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

    lead NIH

Principal Investigators

  • Bibiana Bielekova, M.D. · National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2009-03-25
Completion
2012-05-03

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00872183 on ClinicalTrials.gov