Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
J Neurosci Methods. 2019 Jan 15;312:139-147. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.11.022. Epub 2018 Nov 28.
The neural principles underlying reaching and grasping movements have been studied extensively in primates for decades. However, few experimental apparatuses have been developed to enable a flexible combination of reaching and grasping in one task in three-dimensional (3D) space.
By combining a custom turning table with a 3D translational device, we have developed a highly flexible apparatus that enables the subject to reach multiple positions in 3D space, and grasp differently shaped objects with multiple grip types in each position. Meanwhile, hand trajectory and grip types can be recorded via optical motion tracking cameras and touch sensors, respectively.
We have used the apparatus to successfully train a macaque monkey to accomplish a visually-guided reach-to-grasp task, in which, six objects, fixed on the turning table, were grasped appropriately when they were transported to multiple positions in 3D space. A preliminary analysis of neural signals recorded in primary motor cortex, shows that plenty of neurons exhibit significant tuning to both target position and grip type.
COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): Our apparatus realizes an arbitrary combination of parameterized reaching and grasping movements in a single task, which were usually separated or fixed in other systems. Meanwhile, the apparatus has high expansibility in terms of dynamic range, object shapes and applicable subjects.
The apparatus provides a valuable platform to study upper limb functions in behavioral and neurophysiological studies, and may facilitate simultaneous reconstruction of reaching and grasping movements in brain-machine interfaces (BMIs).
数十年来，灵长类动物的伸手和抓握动作的神经原理已得到广泛研究。然而，很少有实验设备能够在三维空间中灵活地将伸手和抓握组合在一个任务中。
通过将定制的转台与 3D 平移装置相结合，我们开发了一种高度灵活的设备，使主体能够在 3D 空间中到达多个位置，并在每个位置使用多种握持类型抓握不同形状的物体。同时，可以通过光学运动跟踪摄像机和触摸传感器分别记录手轨迹和握持类型。
我们已经使用该设备成功训练了一只猕猴完成了视觉引导的伸手抓握任务，其中，当六个固定在转台上的物体在 3D 空间中被运送到多个位置时，它们被适当地抓住。对初级运动皮层中记录的神经信号的初步分析表明，许多神经元对目标位置和握持类型都有明显的调谐。
我们的设备在单个任务中实现了参数化伸手和抓握运动的任意组合，而在其他系统中通常将它们分开或固定。同时，该设备在动态范围、物体形状和适用对象方面具有很高的可扩展性。
该设备为行为和神经生理学研究中的上肢功能提供了有价值的研究平台，并且可能有助于脑机接口 (BMI) 中伸手和抓握运动的同时重建。
