Reaching with the arm and grasping with the hand and fingers is a complex behaviour that appears in utero, is elaborated over the first few years of life, and serves useful everyday functions throughout the course of human life. Several neurological conditions can impair the ability to produce arm and hand movements and so greatly impact on quality of life and well-being. Given the fundamental role that hand movements play in everyday life, deficits related to hand function is one of the most debilitating motor conditions. Neurological conditions that can affect arm and hand movements include autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke-related motor cortex damage as well as spinal cord injury at cervical levels. As such, arm and hand movement has received considerable attention from both clinicians and researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds and using different human and animal models.

The present Research Topic in Frontiers in Neurology is entirely devoted to arm and hand movement in health as well as in disease. We aim to compile original research papers, review articles, technical reports and commentaries that cover this topic broadly. Original articles bringing new insight into the neural control of arm and hand movement, either from a behavioural or an anatomical point of view will be favourably considered. Submissions from clinicians that focus on patients with neurological disorders affecting arm and hand movement will be most welcome. Among other topics, these include clinical cases, neuroimaging and physiological papers. Articles addressing the issue of arm and hand movement, either from a developmental, evolutionary or comparative perspective will also be highly considered. Research work that showcases the latest advances in viral-mediated gene therapy to assist regeneration of affected neural structures and the recovery of arm and hand function will be strongly valued. Original articles or review proposals from scientists and clinicians regarding the development of new restorative approaches and latest rehabilitative treatments including electrical stimulation and robot-based therapy to assist patients with arm and hand impairment will be particularly appreciated.

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.