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Neurophysiological Approaches to Understanding Motor Control in DCD: Current Trends and Future Directions

  • Motor Disorders (P Wilson, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To provide an account of neurophysiological approaches to understanding motor control in DCD, with a specific focus on emerging techniques such as non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and fNIRS. We also provide an update on evidence from more traditional neurophysiological approaches to understanding atypical motor skills such as EEG.

Recent Findings

With reference to NIBS data from DCD and congenital motor disorders, we present evidence that compromised excitatory and inhibitory neurophysiology within motor circuitry may provide a biomarker for atypical motor development. Further, we draw parallels between work reviewed here and neuroimaging evidence reviewed elsewhere, highlighting converging lines of evidence implicating motor and executive systems in DCD.

Summary

Neurophysiological approaches to understanding DCD have the potential to play an important role in clarifying its underlying mechanisms. Given promising findings emerging from other pediatric motor disorders, we argue that continued work into the viability of NIBS in diagnosis and treatment of DCD is warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood Campus, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia

    Christian Hyde & Ian Fuelscher

  2. Institute for Health and Sport, College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

    Jacqueline Williams

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  1. Christian Hyde
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Correspondence to Christian Hyde.

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Hyde, C., Fuelscher, I. & Williams, J. Neurophysiological Approaches to Understanding Motor Control in DCD: Current Trends and Future Directions. Curr Dev Disord Rep 6, 78–86 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-019-00161-1

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