This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate how the brain controls bimanual movements (movements of both hands).

Healthy normal volunteers between 21 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study.

Participants will have a medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and will complete a questionnaire before and after testing. The study consists of two parts: 1) finger movement training and 2) magnetic resonance imaging, as follows:

Part 1 - Finger movement training

Participants will train to do three different finger movements using the index finger of both hands. The fingers will be taped to a device that measures their movement. The movements are:

- Lifting and dropping the index fingers of each hand repetitively and in synchrony (starting and stopping at the same time). The amplitude of finger movements is the same for both hands.

- Lifting and dropping the index fingers of each hand repetitively and in synchrony, but with a different amplitude for each hand.

- Lifting and dropping of the index finger of each hand repetitively, but each with a different amplitude and not in synchrony.

Part 2 - Magnetic resonance imaging

Participants will perform the trained movements during MRI scanning. This diagnostic procedure uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of brain structure and activity. For MRI, the subject lies on a stretcher that is moved into the scanner-a cylinder containing a strong magnet. Earplugs are worn to protect the ears from loud thumping noises that occur with electrical switching of radio frequency circuits. Scanning time varies from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with most examinations lasting 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The subject can communicate with the staff person conducting the test at all times during the scan.

Condition
Healthy

Bimanual movements require temporal and spatial co-ordination of the two hands. Whereas the hands can be moved nearly entirely freely with respect to the spatial aspect of a movement, movements of both hands are normally linked with respect to the temporal dimension of the movement. For instance a simple movement performed with one hand and a difficult movement with the other hand are linked temporally, i.e. the movements start and end synchronously. A co-ordination structure in the brain that links the movements of both hands to a single unit has been proposed. Until now the structure has not been identified but candidates are the motor areas at the mesial wall or the cerebellar-thalamo-cortical network. For the intended study we will utilise the human ability to decouple movements with regard to the temporal aspect. Using means of functional magnetic resonance imaging we will investigate brain activation during different tasks that require temporally linked or temporally decoupled bimanual movements. The present study is aimed to clarify which structure or network of structures are responsible for the temporal linkage and the study may therefore provide more insight in bimanual co-ordination in intact humans.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Sixteen normal volunteers ranging from 21 to 65 will be included.
Normal volunteers would be recruited from people who are registered as HMCS Normal Volunteers.
All subjects participating in MR studies should have a valid Clinical Center Medical Record Number.
Subjects will also be asked to abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the study.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Normal subjects younger than 21 years and older than 65 will be excluded from the study.
Normal subjects with MRI findings consistent with organic brain lesions such as brain tumors, stroke, trauma or AVMs will be excluded.
Normal subjects with a history of significant medical disorders such as cancers, or requiring continuous treatment with drugs will be excluded.
We will not scan pregnant women. Pregnant women will not be excluded from the EEG arm of this protocol.

Maryland
      National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  020069; 02-N-0069
Record last reviewed:  December 9, 2003
Last Updated:  December 9, 2003
Record first received:  January 9, 2002
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00029302
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2004-11-08