Focus areas

Research focus areas for the Neuromotor Behavior and Locomotion Lab include:

• Gait and balance changes in aging. The lab uses data-driven and predictive methodologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning among others to discover changes that occur in gait and balance with aging. We partner with the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging for a longitudinal, population-based evaluation. We also assess how aging and age-related neurodegenerative changes such as Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease affect human mobility. The lab uses this multimodality data to predict falls, future cognitive impairment and other functionally relevant outcomes.
• Gait and balance abnormalities in neurodegenerative parkinsonism. Our lab uses gait analysis technology to evaluate patterns of mobility impairment in various neurodegenerative parkinsonian conditions. Then the lab uses these data to predict clinically relevant outcomes.
• Neural mechanisms of human motor behavior in aging and neurological disease. In this broad study, we combine gait analysis with mobile electroencephalography and eye-tracking technology to understand human motor behavior and the accompanying brain changes. We assess changes seen in people who age normally and in a variety of neurological diseases. We hope that elucidating brain mechanisms and behavioral changes underlying mobility impairment will lead to the discovery of novel personalized treatments.
• Validity and feasibility of wearable devices to predict falls. The lab is evaluating the feasibility, validity and reliability of wearable devices in lab-based and free-living environments to assess gait and balance function. The lab plans to use these data to predict falls and other clinically relevant functional outcomes.