Title
Neural bases of hand synergies.
Abstract
The human hand has so many degrees of freedom that it may seem impossible to control. A potential solution to this problem is "synergy control" which combines dimensionality reduction with great flexibility. With applicability to a wide range of tasks, this has become a very popular concept. In this review, we describe the evolution of the modern concept using studies of kinematic and force synergies in human hand control, neurophysiology of cortical and spinal neurons, and electromyographic (EMG) activity of hand muscles. We go beyond the often purely descriptive usage of synergy by reviewing the organization of the underlying neuronal circuitry in order to propose mechanistic explanations for various observed synergy phenomena. Finally, we propose a theoretical framework to reconcile important and still debated concepts such as the definitions of "fixed" vs. "flexible" synergies and mechanisms underlying the combination of synergies for hand control.
Year
DOI
Venue
2013
10.3389/fncom.2013.00023
FRONTIERS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
Keywords
Field
DocType
degrees of freedom,premotor neurons,manipulation,motor cortex
Neuroscience,Dimensionality reduction,Neuronal circuitry,Hand muscles,Computer science,Artificial intelligence,Machine learning
Journal
Volume
ISSN
Citations 
7
1662-5188
24
PageRank 
References 
Authors
1.79
11
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Marco Santello1629.60
Gabriel Baud-Bovy2242.13
Henrik Jörntell3242.13