PMID: 9525490Apr 3, 1998Paper

Vestibulospinal adaptation to microgravity

Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
W H Paloski

Abstract

Human balance control is known to be transiently disrupted after spaceflight; however, the mechanisms responsible for postflight postural ataxia are still under investigation. In this report, we propose a conceptual model of vestibulospinal adaptation based on theoretical adaptive control concepts and supported by the results from a comprehensive study of balance control recovery after spaceflight. The conceptual model predicts that immediately after spaceflight the balance control system of a returning astronaut does not expect to receive gravity-induced afferent inputs and that descending vestibulospinal control of balance is disrupted until the central nervous system is able to cope with the newly available vestibular otolith information. Predictions of the model are tested using data from a study of the neurosensory control of balance in astronauts immediately after landing. In that study, the mechanisms of sensorimotor balance control were assessed under normal, reduced, and/or altered (sway-referenced) visual and somatosensory input conditions. We conclude that the adaptive control model accurately describes the neurobehavioral responses to spaceflight and that similar models of altered sensory, motor, or environmental co...Continue Reading

References

Jul 14, 1978·Brain Research·L Nashner, A Berthoz
May 1, 1977·Acta Oto-laryngologica·J L Homick, M F Reschke
Jan 1, 1986·Experimental Brain Research·D J AndersonS A Werness
Jan 1, 1984·Experimental Brain Research·G ClémentK E Popov
Sep 1, 1981·Acta Astronautica·I B KozlovskayaO P Koserenko

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Citations

Sep 15, 2005·Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery·Carrie R Maiorana, Hinrich Staecker
Sep 18, 2008·Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery·David A Borkholder
Apr 2, 2002·Neuroreport·Evan BalabanOttavio Pompeiano
Sep 9, 2015·Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience·Ajitkumar P MulavaraJacob J Bloomberg

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