[State and types of adaptation of the vestibular function after space flights]

This paper presents the results of studying the vestibular function before and after space flight in response to separate and combined vestibular, optokinetic, proprioceptive and postural tests as well as cerebellar coordination tests. After prolonged space flights most crewmembers showed spontaneous, position and positional nystagmus that pointed to vestibular dysfunction. This integrated procedure made it possible to differentiate mechanisms of vestibular dysfunctions seen after flight: some subjects showed nystagmus responses only during tilt table tests while others displayed them in response to additional proprioceptive and optovestibular stimulation as well as cerebellar coordination tests. Different patterns and types of vestibular adaptation to gravity were identified.