Discussion on Neurobiological and Clinical Aspects of Postural Control in Motor Behavior

This special issue contains the contributions of the invited speakers to the international meeting on "Posture in the Picture, on the relevance of postural control in children with developmental disorders". During the meeting typical development of postural control was discussed from birth until adolescence, biodynamical aspects were considered, as well as phylogenetical aspects of postural control during erect gait. Physiologists, movement scientists, and anatomists discussed the roles of the corticospinal system in man, the cerebellum, and the basal ganglia in the development of postural control. During the meeting, vivid discussions emerged between these scientists and those who are involved in analyzing the problems in postural control in children with motor impairments, and scientists involved in designing effective therapies for children with dysfunctional postural control. The meeting was concluded by an organized and structured discussion in which a few of the most important issues were reconsidered. This discussion made it clear that strong cooperation is urgently needed between those involved in the analysis and therapy of motor impairments in children and basic scientists studying postural control from a theoretical perspective or performing experimental research in animals. The questions from the audience during this meeting were collected and organized into clusters and brought forward to a panel of the invited speakers. The discussion was taped, edited, and authorized by the speakers. Mijna Hadders-Algra (Groningen, the Netherlands)