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Unilateral trigeminal anaesthesia modifies postural control in human subjects
Pierre Gangloff1, Philippe P Perrin
1National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), U 420, Faculté de Médecine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Neuroscience Letters
|September 17, 2002
Summary
Trigeminal afferences influence postural stabilization. Disturbing the trigeminal nerve with mandibular nerve anesthesia impacted balance control, particularly with eyes open and closed.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Postural control is crucial for stability.
- The trigeminal nerve's role in posture is not fully understood.
- Sensory afferences significantly impact balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of trigeminal afferences on postural stabilization.
- To evaluate the impact of trigeminal nerve disturbance on orthostatic postural control.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven subjects participated in the study.
- Unilateral truncular anesthesia of the mandibular nerve was administered.
- Static posturography (statokinesigrams, lateral deviation) assessed balance control before and after anesthesia.
Main Results:
- Postural control, measured by center of foot pressure area, decreased with eyes open post-anesthesia.
- Postural deviation occurred contralaterally to the anesthesia site with eyes closed.
Conclusions:
- Trigeminal afferences play a significant role in maintaining postural stability.
- Mandibular nerve anesthesia demonstrably affects balance control mechanisms.
- These findings highlight the trigeminal system's contribution to proprioception and balance.