Neural Control of Movement - Copenhagen > Research > Cognitive Motor Control

Cognitive Motor Control

Focus of the cognitive motor control group is the interaction between basic motor control theory and higher order cognitive processes. Our research has elements of purely cognitive processes, such as questions dealing with conscious visual perception, and also purely motor control elements, for instance what an efference copy is. Between those poles there is a broad continuum of scientific questions that can be addressed, such as how consciousness influence motor control, how humans consciously perceive movements, and how visual feedback influence perception of movements. How do we initiate movement and how do we perceive movements? How conscious are we about our movements, and what role plays conscious perception in motor control? What is the role of cortex and the spinal cord in motor control? Is cortex only involved in conscious motor control? Finally, we work with the idea that the ability to predict the consequences of movements can be used as a model for cognitive abilities.

Conscious and unconscious perception

We have previously investigated visual perception using fMRI and TMS and in order to understand how conscious and unconscious (visual) perception can guide movements, we are currently also working with EEG measures of conscious and unconscious visual perception. This work is also done in close collaboration with the Motor learning and plasticity group.

Prediction of sensory feedback

Movements generate sensory feedback as a consequence of the movement. The brain tries to predict these consequences (efference copy/corollary discharge) in order to separate external stimuli from self-produced stimuli. In this branch of research we try to understand how these predictions influence sensation of movement.

Agency – feeling in control of movements

One of the hallmarks of human cognition is the ability to experience control over your own movements. We try to understand how this is accomplished working from the idea that control is experienced, when the prediction of the consequences of a movement matches the actual perceived feedback.

Initiation of movements

Why do we move? What decides our movements? In the group we try to understand the brain mechanisms that are involved in the decision to make a movement and in particular what role conscious has in the decision to move.

Research group members:
Mark Schram Christensen
Jesper Lundbye-Jensen
Anke Karabanov
Jens Bo Nielsen
Anina Rosenbaum
Koen Knip