Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation Modifies Vection Paths in Healthy Subjects

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 3199-3207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Lepecq ◽  
Catherine De Waele ◽  
Sophie Mertz-Josse ◽  
Claudine Teyssèdre ◽  
Patrice Tran Ba Huy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Motion Path ◽  
Optokinetic Stimulation ◽  
Vestibular Information ◽  
Linear Vection ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
First Time

The present study aimed at determining whether vestibular inputs contribute to the perception of the direction of self-motion. This question was approached by investigating the effects of binaural bipolar galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on visually induced self-motion (i.e., vection) in healthy subjects. Stationary seated subjects were submitted to optokinetic stimulation inducing either forward or upward linear vection. While perceiving vection, they were administered trapezoidal GVS of different intensities and ramp durations. Subjects indicated the shape and direction of their perceived self-motion path throughout the experiment by a joystick, and after each trial by the manipulation of a 3D mannequin. Results show that: 1) GVS induced alterations of the path of vection; 2) these alterations occurred more often after GVS onset than after GVS offset; 3) the occurrence of vection path alterations after GVS onset depended on the intensity of GVS but not on the steepness of the GVS variation; 4) the vection path deviated laterally according to either an oblique or a curved path; and 5) the vection path deviated toward the cathode side after GVS onset. It is the first time that vestibular information, already known to contribute to the induction of vection, is shown to modify self-motion perception during the course of vection.

scholarly journals Effect of Eye-Object Distance on Body Sway during Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Aoki ◽  
Yoshitaka Otani ◽  
Shinichiro Morishita
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Distance Effect ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Visual Condition ◽  
Object Distance

Gazing at objects at a near distance (small eye-object distance) can reduce body sway. However, whether body sway is regulated by movement in the mediolateral or anteroposterior direction remains unclear. Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) can induce body tilting in the mediolateral or anteroposterior direction. This study examined the directionality of the eye-object distance effect, using body-tilting GVS manipulations. Ten healthy subjects (aged 21.1 ± 0.3 years) stood on a force plate covered with a piece of foamed rubber and either closed their eyes or gazed at a marker located 0.5 m, 1.0 m, or 1.5 m in front of them. The GVS polarities were set to evoke rightward, forward, and backward body tilts. To compare the effects of eye-object distance in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions, the root mean square (RMS) of the center of pressure (COP) without GVS was subtracted from the COP RMS during GVS. For swaying in the mediolateral direction, significant visual condition-related differences were found during rightward and forward GVS (p < 0.05). Thus, reductions in mediolateral body sway are more evident for smaller eye-object distances during rightward GVS. It would be appropriate to use body-tilting GVS to detect the directionality of the eye-object distance effect.

scholarly journals Vection Latency Is Reduced by Bone-Conducted Vibration and Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Séamas Weech ◽  
Nikolaus F. Troje
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Motion ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Onset Latency ◽  
Motion Onset ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Self Motion

Studies of the illusory sense of self-motion elicited by a moving visual surround (‘vection’) have revealed key insights about how sensory information is integrated. Vection usually occurs after a delay of several seconds following visual motion onset, whereas self-motion in the natural environment is perceived immediately. It has been suggested that this latency relates to the sensory mismatch between visual and vestibular signals at motion onset. Here, we tested three techniques with the potential to reduce sensory mismatch in order to shorten vection onset latency: noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and bone conducted vibration (BCV) at the mastoid processes, and body vibration applied to the lower back. In Experiment 1, we examined vection latency for wide field visual rotations about the roll axis and applied a burst of stimulation at the start of visual motion. Both GVS and BCV reduced vection latency by two seconds compared to the control condition, whereas body vibration had no effect on latency. In Experiment 2, the visual stimulus rotated about the pitch, roll, or yaw axis and we found a similar facilitation of vection by both BCV and GVS in each case. In a control experiment, we confirmed that air-conducted sound administered through headphones was not sufficient to reduce vection onset latency. Together the results suggest that noisy vestibular stimulation facilitates vection, likely due to an upweighting of visual information caused by a reduction in vestibular sensory reliability.

scholarly journals Galvanic vestibular stimulation modulates the electrophysiological response during face processing

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID WILKINSON ◽  
HEATHER J. FERGUSON ◽  
ALAN WORLEY
Keyword(s):  
Face Processing ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Electrophysiological Response ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Vestibular Information ◽  
Theta Frequency

AbstractAlthough galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is known to affect the speed and accuracy of visual judgments, the underlying electrophysiological response has not been explored. In the present study, we therefore investigated the effect of GVS on the N170 event-related potential, a marker commonly associated with early visual structural encoding. To elicit the waveform, participants distinguished famous from nonfamous faces that were presented in either upright or inverted orientation. Relative to a sham, stimulation increased the amplitude of the N170 and also elevated power spectra within the delta and theta frequency bands, components that have likewise been associated with face processing. This study constitutes the first attempt to model the effects of GVS on the electrophysiological response and, more specifically, indicates that unisensory visual processes linked to object construction are influenced by vestibular information. Given that reductions in the magnitude of both the N170 event-related potential and delta/theta activity accompany certain disease states, GVS may provide hitherto unreported therapeutic benefit.

Comparison of Human Ocular Torsion Patterns During Natural and Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 2064-2073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Schneider ◽  
Stefan Glasauer ◽  
Marianne Dieterich
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Ocular Torsion ◽  
Tonic Component ◽  
Axis Parallel ◽  
Head Rotations ◽  
Torsional Nystagmus

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is reported to induce interindividually variable tonic ocular torsion (OT) and superimposed torsional nystagmus. It has been proposed that the tonic component results from the activation of otolith afferents. We tested our hypothesis that both the tonic and the phasic OT are mainly due to semicircular canal (SCC) stimulation by examining whether the OT patterns elicited by GVS can be reproduced by pure SCC stimulations. Using videooculography we measured the OT of six healthy subjects while two different stimuli with a duration of 20 s were applied: 1) transmastoidal GVS steps of 2 mA with the head in a pitched nose-down position and 2) angular head rotations around a combined roll-yaw axis parallel to the gravity vector with the head in the same position. The stimulation profile was individually scaled to match the nystagmus properties from GVS and consisted of a sustained velocity step of 4–12°/s on which a velocity ramp of 0.67–2°/s2 was superimposed. Since blinks were reported to induce transient torsional eye movements, the subjects were also asked to blink once 10 s after stimulus onset. Analysis of torsional eye movements under both conditions revealed no significant differences. Thus we conclude that both the tonic and the phasic OT responses to GVS can be reproduced by pure rotational stimulations and that the OT-related effects of GVS on SCC afferents are similar to natural stimulations at small amplitudes.

Vestibular and visual responses in human posterior insular cortex

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (10) ◽  
pp. 2481-2491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian M. Frank ◽  
Oliver Baumann ◽  
Jason B. Mattingley ◽  
Mark W. Greenlee
Keyword(s):  
Visual Motion ◽  
Insular Cortex ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Visual Responses ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Vestibular Information ◽  
Perception Of Self ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
Similar Location ◽  
Trial Participants

The central hub of the cortical vestibular network in humans is likely localized in the region of posterior lateral sulcus. An area characterized by responsiveness to visual motion has previously been described at a similar location and named posterior insular cortex (PIC). Currently it is not known whether PIC processes vestibular information as well. We localized PIC using visual motion stimulation in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and investigated whether PIC also responds to vestibular stimuli. To this end, we designed an MRI-compatible caloric stimulation device that allowed us to stimulate bithermally with hot temperature in one ear and simultaneously cold temperature in the other or with warm temperatures in both ears for baseline. During each trial, participants indicated the presence or absence of self-motion sensations. We found activation in PIC during periods of self motion when vestibular stimulation was carried out with minimal visual input. In combined visual-vestibular stimulation area PIC was activated in a similar fashion during congruent and incongruent stimulation conditions. Our results show that PIC not only responds to visual motion but also to vestibular stimuli related to the sensation of self motion. We suggest that PIC is part of the cortical vestibular network and plays a role in the integration of visual and vestibular stimuli for the perception of self motion.

P33. Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation improves dynamic walking stability in healthy subjects

2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (8) ◽  
pp. e113
Author(s):  
M. Wuehr ◽  
E. Nusser ◽  
S. Krafczyk ◽  
T. Brandt ◽  
K. Jahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Dynamic Walking

scholarly journals Galvanic vestibular stimulation with low intensity improves dynamic balance

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 512-521
Author(s):  
Hongmei Chen ◽  
Zhen Hu ◽  
Yujuan Chai ◽  
Enxiang Tao ◽  
Kai Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Improvement Rate ◽  
Average Speed ◽  
Low Intensity

Abstract Background Dynamic balance is associated with fall risk. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation with very low intensity direct current (dcGVS) on dynamic balance. Methodology We used a rocker force platform for assessing the dynamic balance performance. Center-of-pressure (COP) coordinates were acquired and decomposed to rambling (RA) and trembling (TR). We measured sway parameters, including length, average speed, and average range, affected by dcGVS at 0.01 mA with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Results We assessed 33 young healthy subjects and found that all sway parameters were shorter in the EO condition, indicating a better dynamic balance performance. dcGVS significantly improved the dynamic balance performance both in EO and EC conditions. All the sway parameters in COP in EO were significantly shorter than those in EC, indicating a better dynamic balance performance in EO. In EO, RA had greater improvement rates than TR. In EC, only average speed had a greater improvement rate in RA, whereas length and average range had greater improvement rates in TR. These results indicate a different modulation model between EO and EC. Conclusion These findings indicate that very low intensity dcGVS improved the sway parameters of dynamic balance in young healthy subjects. Moreover, our results suggest different dynamic balance control models between having EO and EC. The mechanisms of these phenomena caused by very low intensity dcGVS require further investigation.

scholarly journals Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (Stochastic Resonance) Changes Electroencephalography Activities and Postural Control in Patients with Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 740
Author(s):  
Li-Wei Ko ◽  
Rupesh Kumar Chikara ◽  
Po-Yin Chen ◽  
Ying-Chun Jheng ◽  
Chien-Chih Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Parietal Lobe ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Neural Activities ◽  
Vestibular Hypofunction ◽  
Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

Patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH) often suffer from imbalance, gait problems, and oscillopsia. Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), a technique that non-invasively stimulates the vestibular afferents, has been shown to enhance postural and walking stability. However, no study has investigated how it affects stability and neural activities while standing and walking with a 2 Hz head yaw turning. Herein, we investigated this issue by comparing differences in neural activities during standing and walking with a 2 Hz head turning, before and after noisy GVS. We applied zero-mean gaussian white noise signal stimulations in the mastoid processes of 10 healthy individuals and seven patients with BVH, and simultaneously recorded electroencephalography (EEG) signals with 32 channels. We analyzed the root mean square (RMS) of the center of pressure (COP) sway during 30 s of standing, utilizing AMTI force plates (Advanced Mechanical Technology Inc., Watertown, MA, USA). Head rotation quality when walking with a 2 Hz head yaw, with and without GVS, was analyzed using a VICON system (Vicon Motion Systems Ltd., Oxford, UK) to evaluate GVS effects on static and dynamic postural control. The RMS of COP sway was significantly reduced during GVS while standing, for both patients and healthy subjects. During walking, 2 Hz head yaw movements was significantly improved by noisy GVS in both groups. Accordingly, the EEG power of theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands significantly increased in the left parietal lobe after noisy GVS during walking and standing in both groups. GVS post-stimulation effect changed EEG activities in the left and right precentral gyrus, and the right parietal lobe. After stimulation, EEG activity changes were greater in healthy subjects than in patients. Our findings reveal noisy GVS as a non-invasive therapeutic alternative to improve postural stability in patients with BVH. This novel approach provides insight to clinicians and researchers on brain activities during noisy GVS in standing and walking conditions in both healthy and BVH patients.

Effects of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on Perception of Subjective Vertical in Standing Humans

1998 ◽  
Vol 86 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1155-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Françoise Tardy-Gervet ◽  
Alexandra Séverac-Cauquil
Keyword(s):  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Anode Side ◽  
Ocular Torsion ◽  
Apparent Displacement ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Subjective Vertical ◽  
Central Representation ◽  
Standing Humans

The present work reinvestigated the influence of bimastoidal galvanic vestibular stimulation (0.4 mA during 10 sec.) on subjective vertical. We tested the hypothesis that deviations are directed towards the anode side, like postural tilt evoked by galvanic vestibular stimulation. 15 subjects were instructed to orient vertically in darkness a light-rod during 3 experimental conditions of control, anode right, and anode left. The statistical analysis showed that the perception of the vertical was modified according to the experimental conditions and the subjects. Angular deviations occurred towards the anode side. The results are interpreted as a consequence of a modification of the central representation of the vertical or of ocular torsion directed towards the anode side and likely to induce an apparent displacement of the rod towards the cathode side.

scholarly journals Early vestibular processing does not discriminate active from passive self-motion if there is a discrepancy between predicted and actual proprioceptive feedback

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 2465-2478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica X. Brooks ◽  
Kathleen E. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Stimulation ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Body Motion ◽  
Proprioceptive Feedback ◽  
Sensory Experiences ◽  
Axial Musculature ◽  
Neuronal Computation ◽  
Active Exploration ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
First Time

Most of our sensory experiences are gained by active exploration of the world. While the ability to distinguish sensory inputs resulting of our own actions (termed reafference) from those produced externally (termed exafference) is well established, the neural mechanisms underlying this distinction are not fully understood. We have previously proposed that vestibular signals arising from self-generated movements are inhibited by a mechanism that compares the internal prediction of the proprioceptive consequences of self-motion to the actual feedback. Here we directly tested this proposal by recording from single neurons in monkey during vestibular stimulation that was externally produced and/or self-generated. We show for the first time that vestibular reafference is equivalently canceled for self-generated sensory stimulation produced by activation of the neck musculature (head-on-body motion), or axial musculature (combined head and body motion), when there is no discrepancy between the predicted and actual proprioceptive consequences of self-motion. However, if a discrepancy does exist, central vestibular neurons no longer preferentially encode vestibular exafference. Specifically, when simultaneous active and passive motion resulted in activation of the same muscle proprioceptors, neurons robustly encoded the total vestibular input (i.e., responses to vestibular reafference and exafference were equally strong), rather than exafference alone. Taken together, our results show that the cancellation of vestibular reafference in early vestibular processing requires an explicit match between expected and actual proprioceptive feedback. We propose that this vital neuronal computation, necessary for both accurate sensory perception and motor control, has important implications for a variety of sensory systems that suppress self-generated signals.

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