Advances in Research on Motor Deficits Caused by Neurological Disorders: From Mechanism to Treatment

Dear Colleagues,

Motor deficits specifically refer to the effect of the damage caused to motor skills or movement provoked by many neurological disorders and conditions. These disorders and conditions include, but are not limited to, traumatic brain injury, traumatic spinal cord injury, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and peripheral nerve injury. Neurological disorders are a predominant cause of mortality, constituting 12% of total deaths globally and consequently causing an enormous economic and social burden to  society. The symptoms of neurological disorders include a broad spectrum of motor problems, from the complete paralysis of a large part of the body to a slight weakness in the affected muscles. Such problems affect an individual’s functioning, result in disabilities or limitations to the activities they are able to carry out, and restrict their social activities. The aim of managing motor deficits is to improve the motor skills of affected individuals, eventually cure their symptoms, and ultimately bring individuals back to their normal lives. However, due to limited knowledge regarding the mechanisms that underlie these symptoms, effective treatments are lacking. Due to the complexity of injuries caused in different parts of the nervous system, plus the severity of these injuries, age, and injury type, it is a challenge to make a correct diagnosis and thus determine the correct treatment regimen. Therefore, in this Special Issue, we will focus on understanding the mechanisms that underlie these motor deficits using preclinical and clinical data. Studies applying data obtained using any related disease models are welcome. Research on new methods for the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of motor deficits in any specific neurological disorder is equally welcome. With the knowledge collected in this Special Issue, we hope to provide guidelines for the treatment or rehabilitation of patients suffering from certain types of neurological disorders that affect their motor functions.

Dr. Mengliang Zhang
Prof. Dr. Hans Hultborn
Guest Editors

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