Our lab studies how the brain controls movement; in particular, how deep structures use sensory feedback in order to contribute to this control. To do that, we study the deterioration of sensorimotor control in human patients with neurodegenerative movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. We perform both non-invasive and invasive neural recordings, and design behavioral tasks to evoke controlled movements and perturb both motor output and sensory input.

We hope to eventually use this knowledge to develop therapeutic options which better target the pathophysiology underlying movement disorders and yield more complete and consistent relief of symptoms.

Image of a participant performing an behavioral task during Deep Brain Stimulator implantation surgery, and examples of the difference in neural activity between cortical and subcortical structures during that task.