@article {1728, title = {Neuromotor deficits in developmental coordination disorder: evidence from a reach-to-grasp task.}, journal = {Res Dev Disabil}, volume = {32}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Jul-Aug}, pages = {1293-300}, abstract = {

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) has been classified as a specific learning disability, nonetheless the underlying cognitive mechanisms are still a matter of discussion. After a summary of the main hypotheses on the principal neuromotor causes of DCD, this study applies a causal model framework to describe the possible coexistence of more than one deficit in this disorder. For this purpose, kinematic analysis was applied to an ecological task, the reach-to-grasp action, introducing the manipulation of three variables: vision, distance and object size. After a thorough neurological and neuropsychological evaluation, 9 children with DCD (7-9 years old) were selected and compared to 27 age-matched control children. The results suggest that children with DCD have a normal neurological characterization of the reaching and grasping movements, in terms of proximal to distal action, but their grasping aperture (MGA) was always wider with respect to controls, particularly when vision was not allowed. In addition, the performance of children with DCD was always slower, more dependent on vision and more variable than that of controls. The MGA of children with DCD could be explained by a deficit in the internal construction of movement for a forward model, while slowness could be related to a control problem in the neuronal firing of the muscles. The idea of a possible coexistence of these two deficits is discussed in accordance to a causal model framework and also addressed considering recent neurophysiologic evidences.

}, keywords = {Analysis of Variance, Biomechanical Phenomena, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Motor Skills Disorders, Psychometrics, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Space Perception}, issn = {1873-3379}, doi = {10.1016/j.ridd.2011.02.007}, author = {Biancotto, Marina and Skabar, Aldo and Bulgheroni, Maria and Carrozzi, Marco and Zoia, Stefania} } @article {1638, title = {Wired to be social: the ontogeny of human interaction.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {5}, year = {2010}, month = {2010}, pages = {e13199}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Newborns come into the world wired to socially interact. Is a propensity to socially oriented action already present before birth? Twin pregnancies provide a unique opportunity to investigate the social pre-wiring hypothesis. Although various types of inter-twins contact have been demonstrated starting from the 11(th) week of gestation, no study has so far investigated the critical question whether intra-pair contact is the result of motor planning rather then the accidental outcome of spatial proximity.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Kinematic profiles of movements in five pairs of twin foetuses were studied by using four-dimensional ultrasonography during two separate recording sessions carried out at the 14(th) and 18(th) week of gestation. We demonstrate that by the 14th week of gestation twin foetuses do not only display movements directed towards the uterine wall and self-directed movements, but also movements specifically aimed at the co-twin, the proportion of which increases between the 14(th) and 18(th) gestational week. Kinematic analysis revealed that movement duration was longer and deceleration time was prolonged for other-directed movements compared to movements directed towards the uterine wall. Similar kinematic profiles were observed for movements directed towards the co-twin and self-directed movements aimed at the eye-region, i.e. the most delicate region of the body.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We conclude that performance of movements towards the co-twin is not accidental: already starting from the 14th week of gestation twin foetuses execute movements specifically aimed at the co-twin.

}, keywords = {Female, Fetus, Humans, Pregnancy, Social Behavior, Ultrasonography, Prenatal}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0013199}, author = {Castiello, Umberto and Becchio, Cristina and Zoia, Stefania and Nelini, Cristian and Sartori, Luisa and Blason, Laura and D{\textquoteright}Ottavio, Giuseppina and Bulgheroni, Maria and Gallese, Vittorio} }