Otolith Organ Receptor Morphology in Herring-like Fishes

AbstractOrienting attention in the space around us is a fundamental prerequisite for willed actions. On Earth, at 1 g, orienting attention requires the integration of vestibular signals and vision, although the specific vestibular contribution to voluntary and automatic components of visuospatial attention remains largely unknown. Here, we show that unweighting of the otolith organ in zero gravity during parabolic flight, selectively enhances stimulus-driven capture of automatic visuospatial attention, while weakening voluntary maintenance of covert attention. These findings, besides advancing our comprehension of the basic influence of the vestibular function on voluntary and automatic components of visuospatial attention, may have operational implications for the identification of effective countermeasures to be applied in forthcoming human deep space exploration and habitation, and on Earth, for patients’ rehabilitation.

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Structure and Function of the Otolith Organ (1)

Practica Oto-Rhino-Laryngologica ◽

10.5631/jibirin.65.515 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 65 (5) ◽

pp. 515-522 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jun Kusakari ◽

Yutaka Kaneko ◽

Ichiro Kakizaki

Keyword(s):

Structure And Function ◽

Otolith Organ ◽

And Function

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Chronic Electrical Stimulation of the Otolith Organ: Preliminary Results in Humans with Bilateral Vestibulopathy and Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000503600 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (Suppl. 1-2) ◽

pp. 79-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Angel Ramos Macias ◽

Angel Ramos de Miguel ◽

Isaura Rodriguez Montesdeoca ◽

Silvia Borkoski Barreiro ◽

Juan Carlos Falcón González

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽

Head Impulse Test ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Otolith Organ ◽

Bilateral Vestibulopathy ◽

Vestibular Loss ◽

Bilateral Vestibular Loss ◽

Chronic Electrical Stimulation ◽

Stimulation Of

Introduction: Bilateral vestibulopathy is an important cause of imbalance that is misdiagnosed. The clinical management of patients with bilateral vestibular loss remains difficult as there is no clear evidence for an effective treatment. In this paper, we try to analyze the effect of chronic electrical stimulation and adaptation to electrical stimulation of the vestibular system in humans when stimulating the otolith organ with a constant pulse train to mitigate imbalance due to bilateral vestibular dysfunction (BVD). Methods: We included 2 patients in our study with BVD according to Criteria Consensus of the Classification Committee of the Bárány Society. Both cases were implanted by using a full-band straight electrode to stimulate the otoliths organs and simultaneously for the cochlear stimulation we use a perimodiolar electrode. Results: In both cases Vestibular and clinical test (video head impulse test, videonistagmography cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, cVEMP and oVEMP), subjective visual vertical test, computerized dynamic posturography, dynamic gait index, Time UP and Go test and dizziness handicap index) were performed. Posture and gait metrics reveal important improvement if compare with preoperartive situation. Oscillopsia, unsteadiness, independence and quality of life improved to almost normal situation. Discussion/Conclusion: Prosthetic implantation of the otolith organ in humans is technically feasible. Electrical stimulation might have potential effects on balance and this is stable after 1 year follow-up. This research provides new possibilities for the development of vestibular implants to improve gravito-inertial acceleration sensation, in this case by the otoliths stimulation.

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