MRI morphometry

Use of quantitative three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging techniques to determine the volume of the imaged brain and its sub-structures of interest.  Sometimes referred to as volumetric structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI).  See Brain (neuro-) imaging, Cerebral cortex (development), Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI)

Movement (or motor) coordination

The organization of the body’s many components into a controllable behavioral unit in order to achieve an intended goal.   It involves many effectors at many levels in motor system.  Just from the perspective of biomechanics, coordination has to occur between individual muscles and joints, as well as between limbs.  Imagine moving an arm so that …

Movement

Single or combined motor patterns that contribute to the formation of higher-order goal-directed actions; also used for dynamical processes more generally.  The late dynamical systems theorist, Edward S. Reed (1954-1997), intriguingly portrayed movements as transitions between postures.  One classification distinguishes among discrete movements (those with a clear-cut onset and offset, e.g., reaching, catching, throwing), serial …

Motor skill

The accuracy, precision and economy of performance of a specific movement pattern relative to a particular task.  A well-established classification for such movement patterns is that between open and closed skills, first introduced by E. Christopher Poulton in his monograph Anticipation open and closed sensorimotor skills. Cambridge: Medical Research Council, 1950.  It was later applied …

Motor Performance Study (Michigan State University)

A mixed-longitudinal study begun in 1967, including observations on developmental stages for several fundamental movement patterns.  The study also includes measures of growth status and several motor performance variables.  See Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Fundamental movement patterns, Growth, Longitudinal studies, Motor development, Stage, Tanner stages

Motor noise

Excessive background neural activity in the motor system, resulting in difficulties in motor control and increased variation in movement response (e.g., from trial-to-trial).  In fact, noise (i.e., random disturbances in signals) poses fundamental problems for information processing and all aspects of nervous system functioning down to the cellular level.  In terms of motor control,a better …

Motor inhibition

The ability to inhibit a behavioral response or action, and involving widespread regions of the brain (but especially the prefrontal cortex).  It assessed by response inhibition tasks such as the go/no go task as the Stroop test, and constitutes an important expression of executive functioning.  When this ability becomes impaired, it manifests itself in disorders …