Editorial: Motor Control of Gait and the Underlying Neural Network in Pediatric Neurology.

Abstract

Researchers around the world strive toward better understanding of the complexity and causes of movement disorders due to nervous system disease. Such research has mainly focused on adult neurological disorders such as stroke and Parkinson's disease, while significantly fewer studies have investigated pediatric populations. This may be caused by the complexity of nervous system diseases in children due to the combination of changes caused by disease and development. Therefore, within this research topic, we aimed at stimulating researchers to address important aspects of motor control and the underlying neural network in pediatric neurology. Thirteen papers have been bundled in this eBook, including 1 review paper and 12 original research papers. Most of these papers focused on cerebral palsy (CP), which is not unexpected as CP is the most common developmental disorder associated with lifelong movement and posture disability (Aisen et al., 2011). One paper focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and one on early-onset ataxia (EOA). We aimed to bundle papers on neural causes of movements disorders and their relation with motor function. Two included studies examined the link between brain lesions and motor control in CP (Grecco et al.,; Mailleux et al.,) and one review focused on the neural correlates of gait abnormalities in CP (Zhou et al.,). Understanding the neural control of movements in children with neurological disorders can help to improve existing or develop new rehabilitation strategies. Therefore, we also included papers that investigated (factors that influence) the control of movements, e.g., weakness, instability, and spasticity, which impact motor independence. None, however, focused on neuroimaging during gait.