Leah R. Bent
Professor
College of Biological Science
Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences
Guelph, Ontario
lbent@uoguelph.ca
Office:
(519) 824-4120 ext. 52116
Expert In
Bio/Research
The primary goals of Dr. Bent's research program are 1) to understand where posture is controlled 2) to understand what sensory information contributes to successful movement and equilibrium. Sensory contributions are intimately related to successful movement. With age there is an increase in the...
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Bio/Research
The primary goals of Dr. Bent's research program are 1) to understand where posture is controlled 2) to understand what sensory information contributes to successful movement and equilibrium. Sensory contributions are intimately related to successful movement. With age there is an increase in the difficulties associated with mobility. These changes alter the freedom and independence of the aging population and can largely be attributed to a decline in sensory function.
By investigating these two key questions Bent believes we will have a better understanding of how sensory decline contributes to a loss of mobility as we age. Declines in sensory information are often replaced by other sensory modalities through compensation. Does this take place at the level of the spinal cord, or further upstream with changes in cortical plasticity? Are we able to develop facilitatory devices such as shoe insoles to improve cutaneous sensation, or visual aids to enhance visual cues?
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By investigating these two key questions Bent believes we will have a better understanding of how sensory decline contributes to a loss of mobility as we age. Declines in sensory information are often replaced by other sensory modalities through compensation. Does this take place at the level of the spinal cord, or further upstream with changes in cortical plasticity? Are we able to develop facilitatory devices such as shoe insoles to improve cutaneous sensation, or visual aids to enhance visual cues?
Click to Shrink <<