Akira Toyomura Laboratory
Graduate School of Health Sciences, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8514, Japan. ak.toyomura@gmail.com
Postdoctoral position is available (closed)
Research interests
In our laboratory, we are investigating the brain mechanisms underlying human motor controls. In particular, we focus on the neural mechanisms of a speech fluency disorder, stuttering. The etiology of stuttering is still unknown and the treatment options are still limited. Brain regions involved in stuttering are not limited to speech production (e.g., basal ganglia), but are common parts for general human motor functions. By conducting neuroscience researches on wide modalities of motor controls, we are trying to understand the stuttering as a part of the human motor controls.
With colleagues in Germany, Australia, and Japan, we are conducting several research projects and brain-imaging experiments as well as behavioral experiments regarding various human motor controls including speech, upper and lower limbs. By continuing the neuroscientific researches, we would like to clarify the mechanism of stuttering and explore evidence-based treatments.
Keywords: stuttering, human motor control, speech, upper and lower limb movements, mindfulness, fMRI, EEG, neuro-feedback
Laboratory members
Akira Toyomura, PhD, Associate Professor
Mana Uchida, Graduate School of Health Sciences
Daiki Miyashiro, Graduate School of Health Sciences
Mei Onuki, School of Health Sciences
Risa Yanagisawa, School of Health Sciences
Selected grants
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), JSPS KAKENHI, 2019-2024. "Individual variability on motor control of speech, upper and lower limbs and modification by emotion: Exploring for neural mechanism of stuttering" Toyomura A. ¥17,160,000 (Principal investigator)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), JSPS KAKENHI, 2016-2020. "Study on neural mechanism of stuttering: individual variability on motor control of speech, upper and lower limbs" Toyomura A. ¥4,420,000 (Principal investigator)
- Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A), JSPS KAKENHI, 2012-2017. "Development of program to enhance speech fluency of stuttering: Integration of neuroscientific understanding and therapy methods" Toyomura A. ¥26,910,000 (Principal investigator)
- Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research, JSPS KAKENHI, 2012-2016. "Understanding of the neural dynamics for speech movement by focusing on the speech dysfluency" Toyomura A. ¥3,900,000 (Principal investigator)
- Mitsubishi Foundation, 2011-2014. "An attempt to application of the foreign fluency enhancing programs to Japanese stuttering speakers" Toyomura A. ¥3,100,000 (Principal investigator)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), JSPS, KAKENHI, 2011-2014. "Detection of the response of cortical rhythmic activities and extraction of the internal state such as affection and stress" Kuriki S. ¥16,640,000
- Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), JSPS, KAKENHI, 2009-2011. "Applications of auditory feedback to rehabilitation methods" Toyomura A. ¥4,290,000 (Principal investigator)
Selected publications
- Toyomura A., Fujii T., Yokosawa K., Kuriki S.
Speech disfluency-dependent amygdala activity in adults who stutter: Neuroimaging of interpersonal communication in MRI scanner environment.
Neuroscience, 374: 144-154, 2018.
- Toyomura A., Yokosawa K., Shimojo A., Fujii T., Kuriki S.
Turning a cylindrical treadmill with feet: An MR-compatible device for assessment of the neural correlates of lower-limb movement.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 307: 14-22, 2018. (information for reproduction)
- Toyomura A., Fujii T., Kuriki S.
Hemispheric laterality of the motor cortex involved in imitation of lip movement.
Acoustical Science and Technology, 39(6): 432-435, 2018.
- Shimada M., Toyomura A.*, Fujii T., Minami T.
Children who stutter at 3 years of age: A community-based study.
Journal of Fluency Disorders, 56: 45-54, 2018.
- Toyomura A., Yokosawa K., Kuriki S.
Fluctuation of Lower Limb Movement in the MRI Bore: Different Contributions of the Cortical and Subcortical Locomotor Regions.
Advanced Biomedical Engineering, 6: 15-20, 2017.
- Toyomura A., Fujii T., Kuriki S.
Effect of an 8-week practice of externally triggered speech on basal ganglia activity of stuttering and fluent speakers.
NeuroImage, 109: 458-468, 2015.
- Toyomura A., Shibata M., Kuriki S.
Self-paced and externally triggered rhythmical lower limb movements: a functional MRI study.
Neuroscience Letters, 516(1): 39-44, 2012.
- Toyomura A., Fujii T., Kuriki S.
Effect of external auditory pacing on the neural activity of stuttering speakers.
NeuroImage, 57(4): 1507-1516, 2011.
- Toyomura A., Fujii T., Kawabata Y.
Loudness perception of vocalization through auditory feedback.
Acoustical Science and Technology, 30(6): 439-441, 2009.
- Toyomura A., Koyama S., Miyamoto T., Terao A., Omori T., Murohashi H., Kuriki S.
Neural Correlates of Auditory Feedback Control in Human.
Neuroscience, 146(2): 499-503, 2007.
- Toyomura A., Omori T.
Auditory feedback control during a sentence-reading task: Effect of other’s voice.
Acoustical Science and Technology, 26(4): 358-361, 2005.
- Toyomura A., Omori T.
A computational model for taxonomy-based word learning inspired by infant developmental word acquisition.
IEICE Trans. Information and Systems, E88-D(10): 2389-2398, 2005.
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