From idea to action: how do actions arise in the (healthy) brain?
How are the underlying cognitive and motor processes disrupted by (neurological) diseases?

The Motor Cognition team investigates the physiology and pathophysiology of complex movements and the underlying cognitive processes. The focus is on the motor functions supporting activities of daily living and gait as well as on the corresponding deficits (apraxia and gait disorders).
We conduct research into motor deficits (impairments in imitation, pantomime and tool use) and investigate gait disturbances associated with neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia).
Witin this framework, we utilize motor and neuropsychological assessments, structural (e.g. statistical lesion analyses) and functional (e.g. connectivity analyses) imaging methods, as well as device-assisted gait analyses in healthy volunteers and neurological patients. To better understand the complex processes underlying motor cognition, we employ state-of-the-art machine learning methods. In addition, we use non-invasive neuromodulation techniques (TMS, tDCS) to develop new treatments for motor cognition disorders, like apraxia.