[CCoE Notice] CNECS Seminar - Wedn. 5PM - S. Mostofsky, Johns Hopkins University

[Ogmen, Haluk]

CENTER for NEUROENGINEERING and COGNITIVE SCIENCE

Seminar
Motor Learning and Modulation in Autism
Stewart Mostofsky
Center for Autism and Related Disorders
Johns Hopkins University

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Time: 5PM-6PM
Location: CBB 120 (Classroom and Business Building)
Abstract:
Internal action models refer to sensory-motor programs that form the brain basis for a wide range of skilled behavior and for understanding others’ actions. Development of these action models, particularly those reliant on visual cues from the external world, depends on connectivity between distant brain regions. Studies of children with autism reveal anomalous patterns of motor learning and impaired execution of skilled motor gestures. These findings robustly correlate with measures of social and communicative function, suggesting that anomalous action model formation may contribute to impaired development of social and communicative, as well as motor, capacity in autism.  Motor signs can be measured with a high degree of precision and the neurologic basis of motor function is well mapped out so that deviations observed in autism can readily be understood at the brain level.  This line of study can therefore lead to important advances in understanding the neural basis of autism and, more critically, can be used to guide effective therapies targeted at improving social, communicative, and motor function.  Evidence of, and the theoretical basis for, an association in autism between motor skill impairments and deficits in social and communicative skills will be presented.   Convergent data from behavioral neuroimaging techniques, revealing that autism-associated action model formation may be related to abnormalities in neural connectivity, will also be discussed.  Finally, a basis for applying these findings to advancing therapeutic intervention will be presented.
For information, contact: Bhavin R. Sheth, brsheth at uh.edu<mailto:brsheth at uh.edu>

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