January 31, 2020　　Friday Lunch Seminar
12:15 〜 13:00

CiNet　1F　Conference Room

“Cortical mechanisms of tongue motor functions in humans: MEG and tDCS studies”

Hitoshi Maezawa

Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration
Graduate School of Medicine
Osaka University

Host PI: Masayuki Hirata

Abstract:

The motor functions of the tongue are critical for human oral functions, such as swallowing, mastication. These sophisticated tongue movements are in part finely regulated by cortical entrainment. Many studies have examined sensorimotor processing in the limbs using magnetoencephalography (MEG), which has high spatiotemporal resolution. However, the cortical mechanisms underlying the sensorimotor functions of the tongue remain unclear. In the seminar, we provide a overview of tongue motor functions, based on the findings of recent MEG studies. In addition, we also provide a overview of a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) technique for tongue motor functions. Increased knowledge of the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying tongue sensorimotor processing may improve our understanding of the cortical entrainment of human oral functions.

About CiNet’s Friday Lunch Seminars:
The Friday Lunch Seminar is CiNet’s main regular meeting series, held every week at 12:15 in the beautiful main lecture theatre on the ground floor at CiNet. The talks are typically 40mins long and orientated towards an inter-disciplinary audience. They are informal, social, and most people bring their own lunch to eat during the talk. They are open to anyone who is feeling curious and wants to come, regardless of where you work.