Amy J. Bastian
Papers
8
Total Citations
1,229
H-Index
7
About
Amy J. Bastian is a leading neuroscientist whose research illuminates the fundamental mechanisms of human motor learning, sensorimotor control, and rehabilitation. Her work centers on understanding how the brain adapts movement—whether through reaching, walking, or tool use—and how this knowledge can transform clinical interventions. Bastian’s major contributions include demonstrating that sensorimotor adaptation is a trial-and-error process critical for rehabilitation, and that the brain distinguishes between learning a new tool’s properties and adjusting its own internal model of the arm. She has also revealed how proprioception—the sense of limb position—varies across space and tasks, and how visual cues influence the transfer of locomotor learning. Her highly cited work (e.g., over 480 citations for her 2008 review on adaptation and rehabilitation) has reshaped our understanding of motor learning in both healthy individuals and clinical populations, including children with autism and patients with cerebellar damage. Notably, her studies on cerebellar ataxia and proprioceptive deficits have advanced models of how the cerebellum functions as an internal predictor for movement. Bastian’s research bridges basic science and clinical application, making her a pivotal figure in motor control and neurorehabilitation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Understanding sensorimotor adaptation and learning for rehabilitation481 citations · 2008
- 2Where Is Your Arm? Variations in Proprioception Across Space and Tasks239 citations · 2009
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- 5Acquisition of internal models of motor tasks in children with autism119 citations · 2008
- 6Proprioceptive Localization Deficits in People With Cerebellar Damage29 citations · 2016
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- 8Testing models of cerebellar ataxia via dynamic simulation2 citations · 2014