Development of Vestibulospinal Reflex Measurements as a Method for the Investigation of Statotolith Function during Sustained Weightlessness

2015 ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Millard F. Reschke ◽  
Jerry L. Homick ◽  
David J. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Vestibulospinal Reflex

Is Human Galvanically Induced Triceps Surae Electromyogram a Vestibulospinal Reflex Response?

1992 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian S. Storper ◽  
Vicente Honrubia
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Reflex Response ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Phase Lag ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Computer Aided Analysis ◽  
Vestibulospinal Reflex ◽  
Primary Effector

Interest in understanding the human vestibulospinal reflex has increased enormously over the past three decades, because this reflex is the primary effector of maintenance of posture and balance. On a posture platform, forces exerted by the triceps surae (TS) and tibialis anterior muscles are measured to calculate center of mass sway. We wished to determine whether the TS response is a direct component of the vestibulospinal reflex. Ten healthy human beings were stimulated with sinusoidal galvanic currents delivered over their mastoid processes. Sway response on a posture platform and TS electromyogram (EMG) were recorded for the following conditions: (1) standing unrestrained; (2) standing completely restrained above the leg; and (3) sitting unrestrained. Results were similar for all subjects. Computer-aided analysis for case 1 reveals that TS EMG and horizontal body sway responses are generated at the same frequency as the stimulating current, with a phase lag of 90 degrees. For case 2, body sway response and any component of the TS EMG over the unstimulated condition were absent in all subjects. For case 3, body sway persisted, but no TS EMG above the unstimulated condition was recorded. As the TS EMG disappears when the standing subject is restrained from swaying or in the unrestrained seated subject, we conclude that the TS EMG response is compensatory to motion of more superior portions of the musculoskeletal system; it is not part of the vestibulospinal reflex.

Performance of Fukuda Stepping Test as a Function of the Severity of Caloric Weakness in Chronic Dizzy Patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (08) ◽  
pp. 616-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Honaker ◽  
Neil T. Shepard
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Evaluation ◽  
Caloric Irrigation ◽  
Canal Paresis ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Vestibular Pathology ◽  
Vestibulospinal Reflex ◽  
Turn Direction

Background: The purpose of the Fukuda Stepping Test (FST) is to measure asymmetrical vestibulospinal reflex tone resulting from labyrinthine dysfunction. The FST is a low cost evaluation for dizzy patients; however, when compared with gold standard caloric irrigation unilateral weakness (UW) value ≥25%, the FST has not been shown to be a sensitive tool for identifying unilateral vestibular hypofunction. Purpose: The purpose of this technical report is to further evaluate the clinical utility of FST with and without headshake as a function of increased caloric asymmetry for individuals with unilateral peripheral vestibular pathology. Research Design: Retrospective review of FST results with and without head shaking component as compared to gold standard, caloric irrigation UW outcome values at four severity levels: 0–24% UW (normal caloric value); 25–50% UW (mild caloric UW); 51–75% UW (moderate caloric UW); 76–100% UW (severe caloric UW). Study Sample: 736 chronic (≥8 wk symptom complaints) dizzy patients. Results: Standard FST and FST following a head shake task are insensitive to detecting mild to moderate peripheral vestibular paresis. Increased test performance was observed for patients with severe canal paresis (>76% UW); however, continued inconsistencies were found in turn direction toward the severe unilateral vestibular dysfunction. Conclusions: Overall, the FST provides little benefit to clinicians when used in the vestibular bedside examination.

The Vestibulospinal Reflex in Humans: Effects on Paraspinal Muscle Activity

2003 ◽  
Vol 123 (7) ◽  
pp. 817-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello A. Caria ◽  
Claudio Tavera ◽  
Francesco Melis ◽  
Ombretta Mameli
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Paraspinal Muscle ◽  
Vestibulospinal Reflex

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Clinical observations by vestibular habituation training and by posturography

1987 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Norré ◽  
G. Forrez ◽  
A. Beckers
Keyword(s):  
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽  
Horizontal Canal ◽  
Peripheral Lesion ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Positional Vertigo ◽  
Habituation Training ◽  
Adaptive Mechanisms ◽  
Vestibulospinal Reflex ◽  
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽  
Stimulation Of

AbstractVestibular Habituation Training (VHT) is the treatment of choice for paroxysmal positional vertigo (ppv). The origin of the disturbance is peripheral and the data observed in the cases treated confirm that it is not located in horizontal canal function. However, canal dysfunction can be present together with ppv. Usually a separate course is observed for the phenomena attributed to horizontal dysfunction and those to the ppv lesion.The specificity of the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvres linked to the typical ppv is also confirmed by the data obtained by testing for VHT (VHT-test-battery).Ppv can have a repercussion upon the vestibulospinal reflex. That the same ppv disturbance can coincide with normal as well as with abnormal posturographic data, pleads for the intervention of central adaptive mechanisms. The effect of VHT is due to stimulation of these central adaptive mechanisms and not to any impact upon the peripheral lesion.

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