Neurophysiological basis of rhythm and synchronization in motor activities

Exploring the neurophysiological basis of rhythm and synchronization in motor activities is needed to further neuroscience knowledge and principles underlying rehabilitation and therapeutic approaches. Further, to engender a comprehensive understanding of complex behaviors, e.g., gait, movements that create dance and the motor production of music, carefully planned studies must be conducted. Avenues for clinical applications, include rehabilitation strategies for neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Current research has begun to reveal a window into how the brain and spinal cord orchestrate rhythmic movements and synchronize actions.

This Research Topic aims to establish a platform to investigate mechanisms by which the central nervous system generates, synchronizes, and modulates rhythmic movements, in various environmental contexts that require adaptation and exploration through human motor behavior. Revealing parameters related to timing and spatial constructs will be a key goal.

Key themes include:

Neural circuitry of rhythm generation;

Sensorimotor integration: Investigations into how sensory feedback, including visual, auditory, tactile and proprioceptive inputs, modulate rhythmic tasks;

Studies on higher-order processes influencing synchronization, including attention, cognitive processes and collaborative actions in ensembles or sports;

Development, learning, and plasticity of rhythm, timing, and implementing movements;

Analyses of motor synchronization deficits and therapeutic interventions in conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, autism, stroke, multiple sclerosis and others;

Technological and applied perspectives: Use of robotics, artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and wearable tech in augmenting or restoring motor synchronization.

Exploration of ideal human and animal models for understanding internal timing deficits related to rhythmic output.

Through this Research Topic, we aim to gather diverse perspectives to fuel cross-disciplinary dialogue and advance our understanding of rhythm and synchronization in motor activities. We expect to promote translational advances in motor control research and applications.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Rhythm, Synchronization, Motor Activities, Motor Control

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.