Units

LCFC

The LCFC aims to group within the same structure the use for research purposes of brain mapping equipments, including magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). The laboratory is directed by Serge Goldman et Patrick Van Bogaert, respectively director and co-director of a board composed by one delegate of the seven departments of Hôpital Erasme implicated in the management and use of these equipments:  Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatric Neurology, Neuroradiology and Neuropsychology. LCFC has collaboration with laboratories of the Faculty of Psychology of the ULB for some research topics. More specifically, research on specific language impairment and on impact of epileptic activities on cognition and language is performed in collaboration with UR2NF (Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit,) whereas research on the neural bases of learning with and without consciousness is performed in collaboration with SRSC (Consciousness, Cognition and Computation Group). The study of the respective impacts of MEG and EEG-fMRI on the presurgical evaluation of epileptic patients candidates to surgery is performed in collaboration with the centres of reference for refractory epilepsy of Hôpital Erasme and Universitaire Ziekenhuis Gent.

Laboratory for Functional Anatomy

Research in macroscopic and microscopic anatomy, from a descriptive, functional and palpatory point of view.  
Research in biomechanics (1) spatial electrogoniometry applied in vivo and in vitro, (2) evaluation of lumbar or cervical spine kinematics under normal and clinical conditions (disc herniation, Whiplash Syndrome, evaluation of the kinematics and effect of certain manipulation techniques), (3) three-dimensional imaging and kinematic analysis, musculoskeletal modelling, (4) functional anatomy of the wrist, (5) gait analysis, (6) analysis of spinal curvatures and posture.
Research in neurobiomechanics.

Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics

In an open space at the Faculty of Motor Sciences, the LNMB (Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics) embraces searchers with different backgrounds encouraging interactions under common propositions:

“Movement is inescapable in understanding the human essence of sensorimotor, cognition, emotion, and social communication processes. Oscillatory brain activity is their crucial mechanism.”

Links : http://www.brainsociety.eu
Fonds Leibu

Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis

Education - Our LABO teaches anatomy to students of various programs, including medicine, dental sciences, veterinary sciences, physical therapy, occupational therapy, bioengineering, sports, nursing, pharmacy, medical biology and arts. Moreover, LABO members also teach human embryology. Research - The LABO is active in several fields thanks to its multidisciplinary staff and expertise: Biomechanics, Anatomy, Organogenesis, Embryology, Veterinary Sciences and Legal Medicine. State-of-the-art equipment is available. Clinics - The Center for Functional Evaluation (or CFE) organised by LABO offers patients, and their therapists, all services for following-up of locomotor and gesture disabilities linked to a variety of disorders (orthopeadics, neurology, etc). Clinical research is also performed at LABO. Logistics - The LABO is taking part in the organisation of various structures and international scientific events.

Projetcs

Neurobiomechanics - postural control

This project investigates the neural mechanisms underlying postural control and multisensory integration, focusing on how the brain integrates visual, proprioceptive and vestibular data to maintain balance. It aims to identify cortical markers of postural control, link variability in sensory weighting to patterns of brain activity, and characterize altered sensory reweighting in children with developmental coordination disorder, in the elderly, and in individuals with vestibular disorders. Using EEG, force platforms and novel methodologies, the project will explore how brain activity is coupled to postural and muscular control, and how this coupling varies as a function of environmental constraints.
The project aims to deepen our understanding of the etiology of different conditions that can affect postural control, and to contribute to the development of potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms of brain–peripheral couplings and relevance for motor performances

How the brain orchestrates sensorimotor control of various motor acts is still unclear. Of potential relevance to sensorimotor control are two brain–peripheral coupling phenomena: Corticokinematic coupling (CKC), the coupling between brain and repetitive movement kinematics, and corticomuscular coupling (CMC), the coupling between brain and muscle activity at 20 Hz mainly seen during steady muscle contractions. 
Both couplings can be revealed with scalp electrophysiological recordings such as EEG and MEG. 
This project draws on movement biomechanics approaches to answer 3 major neuroscience questions: Which aspects of the communication between the brain and the periphery do CKC and CMC support? 
To which extent these couplings are functionally/behaviorally relevant? And what is the role of the cerebellum in maintaining these couplings? 
The key innovative element is the focus on the low frequency oscillations, which hold the promise of being the medium of proprioceptive signaling, a central component of the most promising theory of sensorimotor control.

Collaborations : Thomas Legrand, Scott Mongold, Gilles Naeije, Xavier De Tiège

Altered and enhanced cortical proprioceptive processing in human models

Maintaining upright posture is a complex task requiring the integration of afferent information from the visual, somatosensory and
vestibular systems. Proprioception, one of the senses supported by the somatosensory system, is essential to carry out the corrective
motions needed to maintain balance. Indeed, a decrease in proprioceptive accuracy has been related to balance deficits and an
increased risk of falling. Ballet dancers have been shown to integrate proprioceptive signals more strongly and rely more on
proprioception than non-dancers, while proprioceptive acuity has been shown to be impaired in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients.
However, the dissimilarities arising from differences in proprioceptive acuity and integration at the level of the cerebral cortex are
unknown. Thus, this project aims to characterize objective neurophysiological markers of efficient proprioceptive integration. In the
long term, this could help implement and optimize strategies to attenuate the decline in proprioception in pathological populations.

Collaboration : Scott Mongold, Marc Vander Ghinst, Gilles Naeije

Neurobiomechanics - beta oscillations

Beta oscillations of the sensorimotor cortex are the hallmark of sensorimotor brain function, reflecting motor abilities and neurological health. Their characterization usually requires the recording of brain activity using sophisticated and expensive equipment. Drawing on the results of fundamental research, the present project aims to develop and characterize a method for measuring a reflection of these oscillations in readily available signals, such as muscle activity or recordings of mechanical hand strength. He will then assess the method's potential for monitoring Parkinson's disease, as well as rehabilitation and recovery from stroke. Future applications are also planned in basic research, as well as in the assessment and monitoring of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
This research is funded by the WEL Research Institute.

The state of sensorimotor cortical oscillations at hand

Beta sensorimotor cortical oscillations are the direct reflection of the state of human sensorimotor brain functions, making them an abundant topic of fundamental and translational research. Fundamental studies have revealed that beta sensorimotor cortical oscillations leave a detectable trace in muscle activity and in finger tremor. This project will assess the possibility of assessing modulations in beta sensorimotor cortical oscillations through inexpensive recordings of signals measurable directly from the upper limb. In a second phase, it will examine the applicability of such inexpensive means to monitor sensorimotor brain to monitor the progression of Parkinson’s disease and stroke.

Collaborations : Thomas Legrand, Scott Mongold, Gilles Naeije