Welcome to the Cognitive Motor Neuroscience Lab!
The Cognitive Motor Neuroscience Lab is part of the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The primary focus of our lab is to understand how the brain helps us learn and perform movement, and how these processes evolve across the lifespan, in both health and disease.
To tackle these questions, we combine behavioral studies, brain imaging (i.e., electroencephalography; EEG), and advanced computational methods. Our approach is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from Kinesiology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, Computer Science, and Engineering.
Our long-term goal is to optimize human performance and promote brain health throughout the lifespan.
What We Study
Motor Behavior
Movement makes life possible. From walking and driving to playing sports, and engaging in our hobbies) and are critical for interacting with people and the environment. We are interested in understanding the motor processes and how they allow us to not only learn and maintain motor skills throughout our life, but also become expert movers and world-class athletes, dancers, musicians, and painters.
Cognition
Cognition powers everything we do. Processes like memory, attention, and executive function (planning, problem-solving, decision-making) are essential for independence and quality of life. When these processes decline, the impact is profound and affects relationships, daily functioning, and independence, making cognitive impairment a significant public health concern. We study how cognition supports movement and how cognitive impairment disrupts motor processes.
Brain Activity
We study human movement through the lens of cognitive neuroscience. Using EEG, a non-invasive method to measure electrical brain activity, we investigate how different brain regions work together during cognitive and motor tasks. By applying computational techniques to large datasets, we uncover patterns linking brain activity and behavior, and how these patterns change with aging or disease.
Who We Work With
Our research spans diverse populations, including:
- Young and older adults
- Individuals who use cannabis
- Patients with movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)
Interested in participating?
Your involvement helps us advance science and improve brain health for all. We are always looking for volunteers to join our studies, whether you are curious about how the brain works or want to contribute to research that makes a difference.
👉 Learn more about our ongoing studies and how to participate