Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A model for vestibular function in altered gravitational states.

R J von Baumgarten1, R Thumler

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

Life Sciences and Space Research
|January 1, 1979
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Workshop IV: drug treatment guidelines for the long-term management of Parkinson's disease.

Journal of neurology·2001
Same author

Once-daily versus twice-daily vigabatrin: is there a difference? The results of a double-blind pilot study.

Epilepsia·1999
Same author

Evidence of sensory conflict and recovery in carp exposed to prolonged weightlessness.

Aviation, space, and environmental medicine·1996
Same author

Ground based eccentric chair experiments.

Acta astronautica·1994
Same author

Ocular torsion during microgravity on a space mission in 1992.

Acta astronautica·1994
Same author

Space experiment using large-sized fish: in case of carp in Spacelab-J mission.

Acta astronautica·1994

The otolith system, crucial for balance, malfunctions in altered gravity. A new model and "space-sled" tool explore countermeasures for space sickness.

Area of Science:

  • Vestibular system physiology
  • Space biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The vestibular organ has two main functions: guiding eye movements (semicircular canals) and sensing verticality for posture (otolith system).
  • Otolith system function is gravity-dependent, requiring a 9.8 m/sec² gravitational force vector.
  • Altered gravity and inertial forces disrupt otolith system function, impacting balance and posture.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the otolith system's malfunction under altered gravitational conditions (hypo- and hypergravity).
  • To develop a hypothetical model for central nervous system compensation mechanisms in varying gravity.
  • To introduce the "space-sled" as a novel research tool for studying vestibular responses.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of otolith system function under simulated altered gravity.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Development of a theoretical model for CNS compensation.
  • Introduction and potential application of the "space-sled" research tool.

    • Main Results:

    • The otolith system malfunctions when gravitational load amplitude or direction deviates from 1 g.
    • Weightlessness and hypergravity can exacerbate existing mass differences in otolithic membranes, impairing compensation.
    • A hypothetical model is proposed to explain CNS compensatory mechanisms.

    Conclusions:

    • The otolith system's reliance on gravity makes it vulnerable to spaceflight conditions.
    • Understanding these mechanisms is key to mitigating space sickness.
    • The "space-sled" and prophylactic training may offer solutions for maintaining vestibular function in space.