The Brain's Role in Preventing Falls
From: Michigan Alumnus - Fall 2013 - page 44

Looking at how the brain works when we fall could help us avoid it.

Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology have
developed a novel wary of looking at the brain's electrical response before
and during a fall by using an electroencephalogram. Lead researcher Daniel
Ferris likened the study method to recording an orchestra with many
microphones and then teasing out the sounds of specific instruments.

"We were able to determine what parts of the brain first identify when you
are losing your balance during walking," said Ferris.

During the study, healthy young subjects with electrodes attached to their
scalps walked on a balance beam mounted to a treadmill. The researchers were
surprised that so many different parts of the brain activate during a fall,
and they didn't expect the brain to recognize a loss of balance as early as
it does.

Falling can be life threatening for the elderly. Among the elderly who break
a hip, 80 percent die within a year. Future studies comparing this age group
with younger subjects could determine if the elderly sense falls too late, in
which case, pharmaceuticals might help them regain their balance. If it's
something such as muscles not responding properly, strengthening exercises
could help.

Imgae caption:
Electrodes attached to the scalp help researchers look at brain activity
during a fall.

Read the article at:
http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?i=183320

Links:
Daniel Ferris
http://www.kines.umich.edu/profile/daniel-ferris-phd

Human Neuromechanics Laboratory
http://www.kines.umich.edu/lab/human-neuromechanics-laboratory