RESEARCH GROUP

Motor Control and Neuroplasticity

Our research focuses on the neural mechanisms that underly human motor control, motor learning and neuroplasticity.

One of the most fundamental roles of the brain is to plan, control and execute voluntary movement. Humans can keep on acquiring and refining motor skills throughout life by repetitive practice. Practice does not only improve performance in the practiced skill, but it also physically changes the brain.

This process is known as neuroplasticity and describes the ability of the nervous system to reorganize based on experience. Neuroplasticity can be traced on all organizational levels of the Central Nervous System: from morphologic changes of individual neurons to global activity and connectivity patterns across the brain.

 

 

 

We are especially interested in:

  • changes in motor performance throughout the lifespan
  • neuroplasticity related to motor skills and expert performance
  • the impact of interventions like physical activity, sleep, and diet on brain networks, mood control and cognition

 

 

Our methods include:

  • Measurements of motor performance and neuropsychological tests
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (f)MRI)
  • Electroencehalography (EEG)
  • Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Techniques incl. TMS, tDCS, tACS etc.
  • Electromyography (EMG)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the YourGutBrain project is to investigate whether intake of fermented dairy in comparison with non-fermented dairy increases weekly bowel movements and concordantly improves cognitive performance. This will be investigated through a dietary intervention study including healthy women with few bowel movements per week.

A wide range of measures related to the gut and the brain will be assessed upon consumption of fermented dairy and non-fermented dairy, respectively. Together, this will provide insights into whether fermented dairy can affect bowel habits and cognition, as well as potential underlying mechanisms linking the gut and the brain.

Collaborators

  • Associate Professor Henrik Roager, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Professor Hanne Christine Bertram, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark.
  • Professor Paul Cotter, APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland.

Funding

  • Arla Food for Health (AFH). AFH is a public-private research partnership between University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, Arla Foods Amba and Arla Foods Ingredients

Period: 2023-2027

Contact

Associate Professor Anke Karabanov

 

Members of research group

Name Title Phone E-mail
Andreas Wulff-Abramsson Special Consultant +4535336361 E-mail
Anke Ninija Karabanov Associate Professor +4535328039 E-mail
August Lomholt Nielsen PhD Fellow +4535324879 E-mail
Jacob Feder Piil Special Consultant   E-mail
Jesper Lundbye-Jensen Associate Professor, Head of Section +4535327330 E-mail
Jonas Rud Bjørndal PhD Fellow +4535321587 E-mail
Lasse Jespersen PhD Fellow +4535326133 E-mail
Louise Mejer Teaching Assistant   E-mail
Magnus Kjær Broløs Laboratory Assistant +4535333182 E-mail
Mikael Novén Postdoc +4535333776 E-mail
Peter Christian Raffalt Associate Professor   E-mail
Rasmus Dam Wiedemann Teaching Assistant   E-mail

PhD fellow Keenie Ayla Andersen, kaa@nexs.ku.dk

Master student Ditte Haagerup

Master student Hjalte Riis

Master student Louise Mejer

Master student Mads Fredrik Markersen

Master student Magnus Ask Røgilds

Master student Magnus K Broløs