European vestibular experiments on the Spacelab-1 mission: 3. Caloric nystagmus in microgravity

Scherer, Hans; Brandt, Urs Steiner; Clarke, A. H.; Merbold, U; Parker, R. J.

doi:10.1007/bf00237741

Cited by 59 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Simultaneous bilateral bithermal stimulation (one side cold, the other warm; hereafter just called ‘bithermal’) thus approximates a normal horizontal head rotation. The altered temperature of caloric stimulation may also directly stimulate the vestibular nerve [10], [11].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Eye Position Dependency of Slow Phase Velocity during Caloric Stimulation

et al. 2012

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The nystagmus in patients with vestibular disorders often has an eye position dependency, called Alexander’s law, where the slow phase velocity is higher with gaze in the fast phase direction compared with gaze in the slow phase direction. Alexander’s law has been hypothesized to arise either due to adaptive changes in the velocity-to-position neural integrator, or as a consequence of processing of the vestibular-ocular reflex. We tested whether Alexander’s law arises only as a consequence of non-physiologic vestibular stimulation. We measured the time course of the development of Alexander’s law in healthy humans with nystagmus caused by three types of caloric vestibular stimulation: cold (unilateral inhibition), warm (unilateral excitation), and simultaneous bilateral bithermal (one side cold, the other warm) stimulation, mimicking the normal push-pull pattern of vestibular stimulation. Alexander’s law, measured as a negative slope of the velocity versus position curve, was observed in all conditions. A reversed pattern of eye position dependency (positive slope) was found <10% of the time. The slope often changed with nystagmus velocity (cross-correlation of nystagmus speed and slope was significant in 50% of cases), and the average lag of the slope with the speed was not significantly different from zero. Our results do not support the hypothesis that Alexander’s law can only be observed with non-physiologic vestibular stimulation. Further, the rapid development of Alexander’s law, while possible for an adaptive mechanism, is nonetheless quite fast compared to most other ocular motor adaptations. These results suggest that Alexander’s law may not be a consequence of a true adaptive mechanism.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Eye Position Dependency of Slow Phase Velocity during Caloric Stimulation

et al. 2012

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“…The major response is caused by temperature-induced endolymphatic flow, the other by a direct thermal stimulation of the vestibular nerve. The latter was identified in microgravity during space flight [17,18].…”

Section: Bithermal Caloric Test (Ci)mentioning

confidence: 96%

Testing of the Semicircular Canal Function in Vertigo and Dizziness

Rambold¹

2017

Up to Date on Meniere's Disease

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Testing the function of the semicircular canals (SCC) in vertigo and dizziness is an important step towards a diagnosis. There are different vestibular tests available: rotatory testing, bithermal caloric irrigation (CI) and the video-head-impulse test (vHIT). This chapter describes the basic methods, the current knowledge and economic aspects focused on the vHIT and CI. After a general section, common vertigo diseases are discussed with respect to the functional tests. From this chapter, it is clear that not only one method has to be applied to test vestibular function but a battery including the CI and the vHIT in three dimensions.

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“…Caloric irrigation was first performed during the Spacelab-1 flight and then in subsequent missions [24]. In all test subjects the caloric nystagmus response was elicited.…”

Section: Caloric Nystagmusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurovestibular and Sensorimotor Studies in Space and Earth Benefits

Clément¹,

Reschke²,

Wood

2005

CPB

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This review summarizes what has been learned from studies of human neurovestibular system in weightless conditions, including balance and locomotion, gaze control, vestibular-autonomic function and spatial orientation, and gives some examples of the potential Earth benefits of this research. Results show that when astronauts and cosmonauts return from space flight both the peripheral and central neural processes are physiologically and functionally altered. There are clear distinctions between the virtually immediate adaptive compensations to weightlessness and those that require longer periods of time to adapt. However, little is known to date about the adaptation of sensory-motor functions to long-duration space missions in weightlessness and to the transitions between various reduced gravitational levels, such as on the Moon and Mars. Results from neurovestibular research in space have substantially enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms and characteristics of postural, gaze, and spatial orientation deficits, analogous to clinical cases of labyrinthine-defective function. Also, space neurosciences research has participated in the development and application of significant new technologies, such as video recording and processing of three-dimensional eye movements and posture, hardware for the unencumbered measurement of head and body movement, and procedures for investigating otolith function on Earth. In particular, devices such as centrifugation or off-vertical axis rotation could enhance clinical neurological testing because it provides linear acceleration which specifically stimulates the otolith organs in a frequency range close to natural head and body movement.

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European vestibular experiments on the Spacelab-1 mission: 3. Caloric nystagmus in microgravity

Cited by 59 publications

References 12 publications

Development of Eye Position Dependency of Slow Phase Velocity during Caloric Stimulation

Development of Eye Position Dependency of Slow Phase Velocity during Caloric Stimulation

Testing of the Semicircular Canal Function in Vertigo and Dizziness

Neurovestibular and Sensorimotor Studies in Space and Earth Benefits

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