scholarly journals Cerebellar contributions to self-motion perception: evidence from patients with congenital cerebellar agenesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. 2280-2285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kilian Dahlem ◽  
Yulia Valko ◽  
Jeremy D. Schmahmann ◽  
Richard F. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Motion Perception ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Head Motion ◽  
Otolith Organs ◽  
Sensory Discrimination ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Auditory Systems ◽  
Congenital Agenesis ◽  
Self Motion

The cerebellum was historically considered a brain region dedicated to motor control, but it has become clear that it also contributes to sensory processing, particularly when sensory discrimination is required. Prior work, for example, has demonstrated a cerebellar contribution to sensory discrimination in the visual and auditory systems. The cerebellum also receives extensive inputs from the motion and gravity sensors in the vestibular labyrinth, but its role in the perception of head motion and orientation has received little attention. Drawing on the lesion-deficit approach to understanding brain function, we evaluated the contributions of the cerebellum to head motion perception by measuring perceptual thresholds in two subjects with congenital agenesis of the cerebellum. We used a set of passive motion paradigms that activated the semicircular canals or otolith organs in isolation or combination, and compared results of the agenesis patients with healthy control subjects. Perceptual thresholds for head motion were elevated in the agenesis subjects for all motion protocols, most prominently for paradigms that only activated otolith inputs. These results demonstrate that the cerebellum increases the sensitivity of the brain to the motion and orientation signals provided by the labyrinth during passive head movements.

Time Course and Magnitude of Illusory Translation Perception During Off-Vertical Axis Rotation

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 1571-1587 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A.A. Vingerhoets ◽  
W. P. Medendorp ◽  
J.A.M. Van Gisbergen
Keyword(s):  
Motion Perception ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Original Proposal ◽  
Axis Rotation ◽  
Motion Percept ◽  
Self Motion

Human spatial orientation relies on vision, somatosensory cues, and signals from the semicircular canals and the otoliths. The canals measure rotation, whereas the otoliths are linear accelerometers, sensitive to tilt and translation. To disambiguate the otolith signal, two main hypotheses have been proposed: frequency segregation and canal–otolith interaction. So far these models were based mainly on oculomotor behavior. In this study we investigated their applicability to human self-motion perception. Six subjects were rotated in yaw about an off-vertical axis (OVAR) at various speeds and tilt angles, in darkness. During the rotation, subjects indicated at regular intervals whether a briefly presented dot moved faster or slower than their perceived self-motion. Based on such responses, we determined the time course of the self-motion percept and characterized its steady state by a psychometric function. The psychophysical results were consistent with anecdotal reports. All subjects initially sensed rotation, but then gradually developed a percept of being translated along a cone. The rotation percept could be described by a decaying exponential with a time constant of about 20 s. Translation percept magnitude typically followed a delayed increasing exponential with delays up to 50 s and a time constant of about 15 s. The asymptotic magnitude of perceived translation increased with rotation speed and tilt angle, but never exceeded 14 cm/s. These results were most consistent with predictions of the canal–otolith-interaction model, but required parameter values that differed from the original proposal. We conclude that canal–otolith interaction is an important governing principle for self-motion perception that can be deployed flexibly, dependent on stimulus conditions.

Changes in the perceived head transversal plane and the subjective visual horizontal induced by Coriolis stimulation during gondola centrifugation

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 105-116
Author(s):  
Arne Tribukait ◽  
Ola Eiken
Keyword(s):  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Angular Speed ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Otolith Organs ◽  
Gravitoinertial Force ◽  
Roll Velocity ◽  
Transversal Plane ◽  
Upright Head ◽  
The Right ◽  
Otolith System

For studying the influence of the vertical semicircular canals on spatial orientation in roll, the subjective visual horizontal (SVH) and the subjective transversal plane of the head (STP) were measured in a situation where the vertical canals sense a roll-velocity stimulus while the otolith organs persistently signal that the head is upright in roll. During gondola centrifugation (resultant gravitoinertial force vector 2.5 G, gondola inclination 66 degrees) subjects were exposed to controlled rotational head movements (angular speed 27 degrees/s, magnitude 40 degrees) about the yaw (body z-) axis, produced by means of a motor-driven helmet. This causes a roll-plane Coriolis stimulus to the canals, while the otoliths persistently sense upright head position in roll. The subjects reported intense sensations of rotation and tilt in the roll plane. This was reflected in tilts of both the SVH and STP. The initial tilt of the SVH was 13.0 ± 9.7 degrees (mean ± S.D., n=10). {The STP was changed in the opposite direction}. The initial tilt was 23.8 ± 12.2 degrees (mean ± S.D., n=5). {The changes in the SVH and STP were not of equal magnitude.} A few subjects who had almost no deviations in the SVH showed pronounced tilts of the STP. The time constant for exponential decay of the tilts of the SVH and STP was on average approximately 1 minute. These findings indicate that a difference in activity of the vertical canals in the right versus left ear may cause substantial tilts of the SVH even if there is no asymmetry in the activity of the otolith system. Further, the canal stimulus may induce a tilt of the fundamental egocentric frame of reference.

scholarly journals Canal–Otolith Interactions and Detection Thresholds of Linear and Angular Components During Curved-Path Self-Motion

2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 765-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. MacNeilage ◽  
Amanda H. Turner ◽  
Dora E. Angelaki
Keyword(s):  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Vertical Plane ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Otolith Organs ◽  
Horizontal Semicircular Canal ◽  
Velocity Magnitude ◽  
Movement Parameters ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
Simultaneous Translation

Gravitational signals arising from the otolith organs and vertical plane rotational signals arising from the semicircular canals interact extensively for accurate estimation of tilt and inertial acceleration. Here we used a classical signal detection paradigm to examine perceptual interactions between otolith and horizontal semicircular canal signals during simultaneous rotation and translation on a curved path. In a rotation detection experiment, blindfolded subjects were asked to detect the presence of angular motion in blocks where half of the trials were pure nasooccipital translation and half were simultaneous translation and yaw rotation (curved-path motion). In separate, translation detection experiments, subjects were also asked to detect either the presence or the absence of nasooccipital linear motion in blocks, in which half of the trials were pure yaw rotation and half were curved path. Rotation thresholds increased slightly, but not significantly, with concurrent linear velocity magnitude. Yaw rotation detection threshold, averaged across all conditions, was 1.45 ± 0.81°/s (3.49 ± 1.95°/s2). Translation thresholds, on the other hand, increased significantly with increasing magnitude of concurrent angular velocity. Absolute nasooccipital translation detection threshold, averaged across all conditions, was 2.93 ± 2.10 cm/s (7.07 ± 5.05 cm/s2). These findings suggest that conscious perception might not have independent access to separate estimates of linear and angular movement parameters during curved-path motion. Estimates of linear (and perhaps angular) components might instead rely on integrated information from canals and otoliths. Such interaction may underlie previously reported perceptual errors during curved-path motion and may originate from mechanisms that are specialized for tilt-translation processing during vertical plane rotation.

Vestibular activation does not influence skin sympathetic nerve responses during whole body heating

2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 540-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thad E. Wilson ◽  
Nathan T. Kuipers ◽  
Erica A. McHugh ◽  
Chester A. Ray
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sweat Rate ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Sweat Glands ◽  
Otolith Organs ◽  
Vestibulosympathetic Reflex ◽  
Static Head

The cutaneous vasculature and eccrine sweat glands are modified by both thermal and nonthermal factors. To determine the effect of thermal stress on the vestibulosympathetic reflex, skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) and cutaneous end-organ responses were measured in 10 subjects during static head-down rotation (HDR) and dynamic yaw and pitch (30 cycles/min) to activate the otolith organs and semicircular canals. SSNA (microneurography of peroneal nerve), cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC; laser-Doppler flux/mean arterial pressure), sweat rate (capacitance hygrometry), and body temperature were collected during normothermia and after whole body heating. Body temperature was controlled by perfusing neutral (34–35°C) or warm (44–46°C) water through a tube-lined suit. During normothermia, HDR did not alter SSNA (−0.4 ± 4.4% change), CVC (4.2 ± 6.9% change), or sweat rate (−2.7 ± 1.2% change) within the innervated area of skin. Dynamic yaw and pitch also did not elicit significant changes in SSNA, CVC, or sweat rate during normothermia. Whole body heating significantly increased internal temperature (0.8 ± 0.1°C), mean skin temperature (4.1 ± 0.2°C), CVC (322 ± 109% control), and sweat rate (0.35 ± 0.08 mg·cm−2·min−1). After whole body heating, HDR did not significantly alter SSNA (3.2 ± 7.6% change), CVC (−7.3 ± 3.9% change), or sweat rate (−3.3 ± 1.9% change). Dynamic yaw and pitch also did not produce significant changes in SSNA, CVC, or sweat rate after whole body heating. These data suggest that vestibular activation by head movements is not a nonthermal factor affecting SSNA and cutaneous end-organ responses in humans.

Color effects on self-motion perception

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Bonato ◽  
Andrea Bubka
Keyword(s):  
Motion Perception ◽  
Self Motion

Disruption of self-motion perception without vestibular reflex alteration in ménière’s disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mario Faralli ◽  
Michele Ori ◽  
Giampietro Ricci ◽  
Mauro Roscini ◽  
Roberto Panichi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motion Perception ◽  
Meniere’S Disease ◽  
Menière’S Disease ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Meniere's Disease ◽  
Ménière’S Disease ◽  
Menière's Disease ◽  
Ocular Reflex ◽  
Ménière's Disease ◽  
Self Motion

BACKGROUND: Self-motion misperception has been observed in vestibular patients during asymmetric body oscillations. This misperception is correlated with the patient’s vestibular discomfort. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether or not self-motion misperception persists in post-ictal patients with Ménière’s disease (MD). METHODS: Twenty-eight MD patients were investigated while in the post-ictal interval. Self-motion perception was studied by examining the displacement of a memorized visual target after sequences of opposite directed fast-slow asymmetric whole body rotations in the dark. The difference in target representation was analyzed and correlated with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) score. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and clinical tests for ocular reflex were also evaluated. RESULTS: All MD patients showed a noticeable difference in target representation after asymmetric rotation depending on the direction of the fast/slow rotations. This side difference suggests disruption of motion perception. The DHI score was correlated with the amount of motion misperception. In contrast, VOR and clinical trials were altered in only half of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric rotation reveals disruption of self-motion perception in MD patients during the post-ictal interval, even in the absence of ocular reflex impairment. Motion misperception may cause persistent vestibular discomfort in these patients.

scholarly journals Sensorimotor impairment from a new analog of spaceflight-altered neurovestibular cues

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-223
Author(s):  
Jordan B. Dixon ◽  
Torin K. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Head Tilt ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Head Restraint ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Sensorimotor Impairment ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Extended Exposure ◽  
Sensorimotor Performance

Exposure to microgravity during spaceflight causes central reinterpretations of orientation sensory cues in astronauts, leading to sensorimotor impairment upon return to Earth. Currently there is no ground-based analog for the neurovestibular system relevant to spaceflight. We propose such an analog, which we term the “wheelchair head-immobilization paradigm” (WHIP). Subjects lie on their side on a bed fixed to a modified electric wheelchair, with their head restrained by a custom facemask. WHIP prevents any head tilt relative to gravity, which normally produces coupled stimulation to the otoliths and semicircular canals, but does not occur in microgravity. Decoupled stimulation is produced through translation and rotation on the wheelchair by the subject using a joystick. Following 12 h of WHIP exposure, subjects systematically felt illusory sensations of self-motion when making head tilts and had significant decrements in balance and locomotion function using tasks similar to those assessed in astronauts postspaceflight. These effects were not observed in our control groups without head restraint, suggesting the altered neurovestibular stimulation patterns experienced in WHIP lead to relevant central reinterpretations. We conclude by discussing the findings in light of postspaceflight sensorimotor impairment, WHIP’s uses beyond a spaceflight analog, limitations, and future work. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We propose, implement, and demonstrate the feasibility of a new analog for spaceflight-altered neurovestibular stimulation. Following extended exposure to the analog, we found subjects reported illusory self-motion perception. Furthermore, they demonstrated decrements in balance and locomotion, using tasks similar to those used to assess astronaut sensorimotor performance postspaceflight.

Cognitive factors can influence self-motion perception (vection) in virtual reality

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard E. Riecke ◽  
Jörg Schulte-Pelkum ◽  
Marios N. Avraamides ◽  
Markus Von Der Heyde ◽  
Heinrich H. Bülthoff
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Motion Perception ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Self Motion

Self-motion perception: Assessment by computer-generated animations

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (1-8) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.E Parker ◽  
D.L Harm ◽  
G.R Sandoz ◽  
N.C Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Motion Perception ◽  
Self Motion

Impacts of Rotation Axis and Frequency on Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Wagner ◽  
Megan J. Kobel ◽  
Daniel M. Merfeld
Keyword(s):  
Multisensory Integration ◽  
Rotation Axis ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Rotation Velocity ◽  
Pass Filter ◽  
Motion Cues ◽  
Left Posterior ◽  
Rotation Plane ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
Lower Frequencies

Abstract In an effort to characterize the factors influencing the perception of self-motion rotational cues, vestibular self-motion perceptual thresholds were measured in 14 subjects for rotations in the roll and pitch planes, as well as in the planes aligned with the anatomic orientation of the vertical semicircular canals (i.e., left anterior, right posterior; LARP, and right anterior, left posterior; RALP). To determine the multisensory influence of concurrent otolith cues, within each plane of motion, thresholds were measured at four discrete frequencies for rotations about earth-horizontal (i.e., tilts; EH) and earth-vertical axes (i.e., head positioned in the plane of the rotation; EV). We found that the perception of rotations, stimulating primarily the vertical canals, was consistent with the behavior of a high-pass filter for all planes of motion, with velocity thresholds increasing at lower frequencies of rotation. In contrast, tilt (i.e, EH rotation) velocity thresholds, stimulating both the canals and otoliths (i.e., multisensory integration), decreased at lower frequencies and were significantly lower than earth-vertical rotation thresholds at each frequency below 2 Hz. These data suggest that multisensory integration of otolithic gravity cues with semicircular canal rotation cues enhances perceptual precision for tilt motions at frequencies below 2 Hz. We also showed that rotation thresholds, at least partially, were dependent on the orientation of the rotation plane relative to the anatomical alignment of the vertical canals. Collectively these data provide the first comprehensive report of how frequency and axis of rotation influence perception of rotational self-motion cues stimulating the vertical canals.

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