An MRI-compatible caloric stimulation device for the investigation of human vestibular cortex

Self-motion perception involves the integration of vestibular, visual, somatosensory and other sensory cues. The neural responses to caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) in humans have been investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

We developed an fMRI-compatible, bithermal caloric stimulation device for repeated CVS. Tempered water is pumped via a closed-loop tube-system to one or both ear canals. Water temperature transmits to the surface of the ear canal via a small glass-pod. For our purposes we used hot (47-49°C), cold (5-7.5°C), or warm for baseline (30-32.5°C). The pods are integrated in the MRI ear protection and connected to water influx and efflux tubes. With our device we can apply multiple vestibular stimulation and baseline trials consecutively. Control measurements indicate that the applied temperatures are stable across trials. MRI-signal differences due to water flow and water temperature are restricted to the area surrounding the pod and are unlikely to intrude into brain tissue.

Vestibular stimulation with our device elicits caloric nystagmus when no central fixation is presented. We validated our system by conducting a CVS experiment during fMRI-scanning. Participants indicated the presence or absence of a self-motion sensation. Periods of self motion yielded activation in the cortical vestibular network including putative human parieto-insular vestibular cortex (PIVC).

Our closed-loop device eliminates many problems associated with caloric stimulation during fMRI.

Our device allows researchers to explore neural responses to CVS and those evoked by combined sensory stimulation.