Research

Movements aimed at reaching targets are the result of integrated neural processes dealing with sensorimotor and cognitive functions. When planning a movement the brain adopts simplified strategies based on the representations of internal and external space and the complex inertial properties of the skeletal muscle system. Quantification of motor performance in specific task conditions can become a very useful tool for Functional Neuroscience to investigate the sensory, motor and cognitive systems in healthy and neurological subjects. MTM is an innovative system able to measure planar reaching movement trajectories on a digitizing tablet towards targets displayed on a PC monitor. It has been designed primarily for research purposes. Custom designs for clinical applications are available on request.

Features
MTM is a user-friendly system for both operator and subject. The game-like graphical interface and “feedback scores” encourage high subject’s compliance.
Tasks selection:

• Reaction Time tasks
• Time Response tasks

Target selection:

• Number of targets
• Appearance order
• Timing of appearance

Parameters:

• Speed profile
• Acceleration profile
• Directional error
• other task-related parameters

MTM software is easy to install and use (free call telephone support), and offers procedures to export data into spreadsheets and other statistical analysis packages such as Microsoft™ Excel®, Origin®, STATISTICA®.

Applications:
MTM system has been demonstrated to be very sensitive to sensorimotor and cognitive alterations caused by experimental and/or pathological (movement disorder diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis’ disease) conditions.

Contacts
For further information, demo and pricing, please contact mtm@ettsolutions.com

References
1: Pelosin E, Bove M, Marinelli L, Abbruzzese G, Ghilardi MF. Cervical dystonia affects aimed movements of nondystonic segments. Mov Disord. 2009 Oct 15;24(13):1955-61
2: Marinelli L, Crupi D, Di Rocco A, Bove M, Eidelberg D, Abbruzzese G, Ghilardi MF. Learning and consolidation of visuo-motor adaptation in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2009 Jan;15(1):6-11
3: Hill S, Tononi G, Ghilardi MF. Sleep improves the variability of motor performance. Brain Res Bull. 2008 Aug 15;76(6):605-11
4: Moisello C, Bove M, Huber R, Abbruzzese G, Battaglia F, Tononi G, Ghilardi MF. Short-term limb immobilization affects motor performance. J Mot Behav. 2008 Mar;40(2):165-76
5: Ghilardi MF, Silvestri G, Feigin A, Mattis P, Zgaljardic D, Moisello C, Crupi D, Marinelli L, Dirocco A, Eidelberg D. Implicit and explicit aspects of sequence learning in pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2008 Aug;14(6):457-64
6: Huber R, Ghilardi MF, Massimini M, Ferrarelli F, Riedner BA, Peterson MJ, Tononi G. Arm immobilization causes cortical plastic changes and locally decreases sleep slow wave activity. Nat Neurosci. 2006 Sep;9(9):1169-76