Higher-order Motor Disorders

Discusses the control of complex movements. This volume provides coverage of such conditions as the grasping reflex, gait disorders, speech motor control and tics. It links research from the basic neurosciences to the clinical situation; and is intended for both researchers and clinicians.

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This is the first book to offer a comprehensive overview of higher-order motor disorders. It introduces new concepts emerging from basic neurosciences and shows how they have impacted on the field of cognitive motor control and led to new vistas for the understanding of Higher-order Motor Disorders far beyond the traditional field of topological diagnosis. It describes in detail a wide range of clinical disorders including those of bimanual co-ordination, apraxia and sensorimotor transformation deficits, motor neglect, anarchic hand syndrome, imitation and utilisation behaviours, action motivational and action monitoring disorders, as well as new approaches to motor cortex plasticity and reorganisation and rehabilitation of complex movement problems. The book reviews the topic, starting with a description of the neuroanatomical, neurobiological and cognitive basis of normal motor behaviours, before moving on to cover the clinical features of the disordered states. The final chapters cover the issues of plasticity and recovery, pharmacological treatments and rehabilitation.

This volume will stimulate research and foster new insights into cognitive and motivational motor disorders. With expert contributions from the major international centres in Europe and the Americas his book gives a truly new framework for a complex and confusing field.