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At least 1,495 records · Page 83Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Neuro-ophthalmologic and posturographic studies of patients with idiopathic torticollis].

The pathophysiology of idiopathic spasmodic torticollis is still unknown. In addition to genetic and other factors, one of the possible causes under discussion is a disturbance of the vestibular system. In order to analyse vestibular influences we investigated 40 patients with idiopathic torticollis using electronystagmography, fundus photography, measurement of the subjective visual vertical and posturography. The results of the neuroophthalmological investigations and the measurement of the visual vertical were within the normal range. 53% of the patients examined showed a slight central vestibular preponderance in the electronystagmography, whereas 38% demonstrated a slight pathological monocular torsion in the fundus photography. Posturographically, there were some indications of a slightly decreased gain in visual contribution to the postural control process. None of the results could be correlated to the extent of torticollis in the individual case. We propose that these results do not confirm the hypothesis of primary vestibular lesion in the pathogenesis of torticollis. A possible explanation of the results described could be a common basic lesion which causes the torticollis on the one hand and also affects the central vestibular system on the other hand.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[The use of the transcranial micropolarization method for decreasing the manifestations of hyperkinesis in patients with infantile cerebral palsy].

Transcranial micropolarization was used in the treatment of children with hyperkinetic form of infantile cerebral paralysis. The method was found to be more effective than various stereotaxic interventions on the brain or routine physiotherapy. Transcranial micropolarization exposure resulted in alleviation of hyperkinesis, posture-tonic reflexes, in improvement of active movements of the joints, supporting system, etc. Clinical status of patients exposed to this treatment modality improved by six times as against those treated traditionally. Clinical data and data of stimulation electromyography permit us to suggest a possible effect of transcranial micropolarization on the function of cerebral subcortical structures in patients with hyperkinetic form of infantile cerebral paralysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Visuo-vestibular interaction in determination of orientation behavior in weightlessness].

We measured vertical vection during a short term space flight and 2 long term space flights to evaluate the state of adaptation to microgravity. The first phase of microgravity adaptation showed with major changes of vertical vection perception such as "inverted vection". This method will be used to reveal mechanisms of adaptation to altered vestibular inputs.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1994

The influence of a bilateral peripheral vestibular deficit on postural synergies.

The role of vestibular sensory information in the triggering, selection and modulation of postural response synergies was evaluated by comparing the EMG responses of normal subjects to balance perturbations with those of subjects with a bilateral peripheral vestibular deficit. The balance perturbations were a rotation and/or a translation of a support surface on which the test subjects stood with eyes open. Onset latencies and most timing patterns of muscle responses were not altered in vestibular-loss subjects. Major changes were observed, however, in the muscle amplitude synergy. Responses between 120 and 240 ms in tibialis anterior, soleus, and quadriceps muscles were reduced more than 50% with respect to normal amplitudes. In contrast, responses in paraspinal muscles were enhanced nearly 100% with respect to normal values. These changes in muscle amplitudes with accompanying vestibular loss were highest for rotation and lowest for translation perturbations. The identification of a bilateral vestibular loss using EMG amplitudes was always 100% correct for rotation perturbations and between 75 to 85% correct for translation perturbations. Multivariate linear correlations between muscle EMG response areas, and the amplitudes of initial link velocities revealed an increased contribution of afferent signals from the upper leg and a decreased dependence on signals from the trunk and head to postural synergies in vestibular-loss subjects. The afferent modulation of the muscle amplitude synergy correcting a balance disturbance to the stance of normal subjects is, on the basis of these findings, highly dependent on vestibular afferent signals. Our results indicate that vestibular afferent signals are used to enhance the amplitude of responses in tibialis anterior, quadriceps, and soleus muscles; and inhibit the responses of paraspinal muscles, once the response timing has been triggered and selected by proprioceptive signals. Lacking this modulation, bilateral vestibular deficit subjects respond to balance perturbations under eyes-open conditions as if the perturbation were 50% slower. Clinically, our results document that the perturbation of choice, when testing vestibular deficit patients, is a rotation (greater than 3 degrees in amplitude and 15 degrees/s in velocity) and not a translation of the support surface.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Equilibrium].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Dizziness↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of the torsional VOR in weightlessness.

The experimental concept and findings from a recent manned orbital spaceflight are described. Together with ongoing terrestrial and parabolic studies, the present experiment is intended to further our knowledge of the sensory integrative processing of information from the semicircular canals and the otolithic receptors, and to quantify the presumed otolithic adaptation to altered gravito-inertial force environments in a more reliable manner than to date. The experiment included measurement of the basic vestibulo-oculomotor response during active head rotation about each of the three orthogonal axes. Priority was given to the recording of ocular torsion, as elicited by head oscillation about the roll axis, and thus due to the concomitant stimulation of the semicircular canals and otolith receptors. Videooculography was employed for the measurement of eye movements; head movement was measured by three orthogonally arranged angular rate sensors and a triaxial linear accelerometer device. All signals were recorded synchronously on a video/data recorder. Preliminary results indicate alterations in the torsional VOR under zero-g conditions, suggesting an adaptive modification of the torsional VOR gain over the course of the 6-day orbital flight. In addition, the inflight test findings yielded discrepancies between intended and performed head movement, indicating impairment in sensorimotor coordination under prolonged microgravity conditions.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1993

Spatial orientation and posture during and following weightlessness: human experiments on Spacelab Life Sciences 1.

The 4 payload crew members of the Spacelab Life Sciences 9-day space flight in 1991 were subjected to limited vestibular testing in flight as well as pre and post flight. Major differences in individual "perceptual style" appeared in their reaction to the visual-vestibular stimuli in the rotating dome experiment, and especially in the extent to which nondirectional tactile cues served to anchor the subjective vertical and body postural reactions. The ability of subjects to point to remembered target positions was degraded in space, which produced a tendency to point low in some subjects in flight. The eye movements and subjective response to sudden stops and head pitching following continuous spinning (dumping) were measured both in space and on the ground. Although subjective duration of inflight rotation for the dumping tests was shorter than that for the preflight tests, the postrotatory nystagmus, with or without head pitch, was lengthened in time constant relative to preflight. Ground tests, in addition to the flight experiments, investigated the changes following weightlessness in subjective and oculomotor reactions to whole body tilt, the ability to balance with eyes open and closed; leg muscles strength and stamina as related to posture; visual field dependence; and the perceptual and oculomotor reactions to horizontal linear acceleration. Several of these tests, as well as post-flight measures of motion sickness susceptibility, revealed subtle evidence of neurovestibular alterations that lasted a week or more following the 10-day orbital exposure.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1993

[Postural systemic vascular reactions].

Changes of hydraulic resistance of the vascular system were studied under conditions of stabilised blood expenditure in response to ortho- and antiorthostatic effects. The first type effects involved an increase in the resistance whereas the antiorthostasis decreased the resistance. Both ways of estimation of vascular responses are discussed from the standpoint of conditions for baroreflex control of vasomotor responses.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of otolith organs, semicircular canals, and neck afferents on post-rotatory nystagmus.

The duration of post-rotatory nystagmus is known to be shortened by head tilt, a phenomenon that has been attributed to rapid discharge of the velocity storage mechanism. The relative importance of the various sensory signals associated with post-rotatory head tilt is unknown. Using both earth-vertical axis and off-vertical axis rotation, we investigated this issue in humans by combining sudden termination of constant velocity rotation with several post-rotatory maneuvers that stimulated combinations of otolith organ, somatosensory, and vertical semicircular canal afferents. Results indicated that horizontal post-rotatory nystagmus was shortened by maneuvers that move the head from upright to off-vertical and by cessation of dynamic otolith stimuli. Somatosensory, neck afferent, and transient vestibular stimulation had no consistent effect. We conclude that tilt suppression of postrotatory nystagmus and the short time constant following off-vertical axis rotation is primarily a function of otolith influence on the velocity storage system.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

"Torso rotation" experiments; 3: Effects of acute changes in vestibular function on the control of voluntary head movements.

"Torso Rotation" (TR) produces an acute, reversible change in human vestibular function. Experiments were performed to determine if repeated exposure to this technique would result in long-term adaptive modifications. In one experiment, VOR gain was evaluated. Measurements were obtained before and 3 times after 30 minutes of TR, on 7 consecutive days. VOR gain dropped each day after TR, returning to normal within about 20 min. In a separate experiment with different subjects, eyes-open gaze stability was measured during voluntary head shaking between 3.0 and 0.3 Hz. The same test schedule was used. Analysis of gaze stability (limited to frequencies between 1.0 and 2.0 Hz) was complicated by an unexpected finding. Despite careful instructions, head displacement increased each day after TR, also returning to normal within about 20 min. Surprisingly, subjects were unaware of this change. Combining the 2 experiments, VOR gain and head amplitude were averaged across all 7 days, separately for the 4 daily tests. Head amplitude was plotted against VOR gain for these 4 averages. Amplitude was greater when VOR gain was reduced, with a remarkably high correlation (R2 = 0.996). These findings confirm that vestibular feedback plays an important role in the control of voluntary head movement. Furthermore, the data suggest that instability of the visual scene reported by subjects shaking their heads after TR resulted not only from a lower VOR gain, but also from the inadvertent use of higher head velocities.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Electromyographic identification of spinal oscillator patterns and recouplings in a patient with incomplete spinal cord lesion: oscillator formation training as a method to improve motor activities.

A patient with a strongly lesioned spinal cord, sub C5, relearned running, besides improving other movements, by an oscillator formation training (rhythmic, dynamic, stereotyped exercise). After 45 days of jumping on a springboard and other rhythm trainings, the patient was able to run 90 m in 41 s (7.9 km/h) (even 9.3 km/h 3 years after the lesion) besides marching (5.7 km/h), cycling, playing tennis and skiing. FF-type (alpha 1) (f = 8.3-11.4 Hz) and FR-type (alpha 2) (f = 6.7 Hz) motor unit firings were identified by electromyography (EMG) with surface electrodes by their oscillatory firing patterns in this patient. In EMG literature, the alpha 2-oscillatory firing is called "myokymic discharging". Alternating long and short oscillation periods were measured in FF-type motor units, with changing focus (change from long/short to short/long oscillation periods). The alternating mean period durations differed by approximately 10 ms. Transient synchronization of oscillatory firing FF-type motor units was observed with up to two phase relations per oscillation cycle. In recumbent position, the phase change in synchronization of two oscillatory firing motor units in the soleus muscle of one leg correlated with the change from alternating to symmetrical oscillatory firing of a third motor unit in the soleus muscle of the other leg. This measurement indicates that the alternating oscillatory firing of premotor neuronal networks is correlated with synchronization of oscillatory firing neuronal subnetworks, i.e., with coupling changes of oscillators, and is not due to reciprocal inhibition of half-centre oscillators as suggested by the change from alternating to symmetrical oscillatory firing. Coupling changes of oscillatory firing subnetworks to generate macroscopic (integrative) network functions are therefore a general organization form of the central nervous system (CNS), and are not related to rhythmic movements like walking or running only. It is proposed that synchronization of spinal oscillators, phase changes in synchronization, changes from alternating to symmetrical firing and backwards, and changes in the focus of alternating oscillatory firing are, among others, physiologic coupling rules of the human CNS to generate, by ongoing coupling changes of oscillatory firing subnetworks, integrative functions such as rhythmic and non-rhythmic movements. One phase relation between two oscillatory firing alpha 1-motor units was preserved from one volitional leg muscle activation (isometric contraction) to the subsequent one. Since running times improved upon successive runs for 90 m, the spinal cord seems to be able to store pattern organization for seconds up to minutes. Controlled and uncontrolled oscillatory firing of alpha 1-motor units in volitionally activated leg muscles were observed in this patient, which indicated that there still were pathologic recruitments of subnetworks after re-learning running and other movements. During walking, running, and jumping on a springboard, the activation patterns of the vastus lateralis, hamstrings, tibialis anterior, peronaeus longus, peronaeus brevis and soleus muscles were recorded (surface electromyography) to be still pathologic in accordance with partly still pathologic joint rotation angles measured kinematically. Especially upon running, the left knee joint flexion was reduced in swing by a rather permanent activity of the rectus femoris combined with an extra burst of the vastus lateralis in mid-swing. The recorded abnormalities are due to modification of the motor program rather than to muscle weakness per se. A further improvement of the movements of the patient seems possible by improving the motor program, i.e., by improving the functioning of the spinal pattern generators.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Considerations on the mechanisms of alternating skew deviation in patients with cerebellar lesions.

Alternating skew deviation, in which the side of the higher eye changes depending upon whether gaze is directed to the left or the right, is a frequent sign in patients with posterior fossa lesions, including those restricted to the cerebellum. Here we propose a mechanism for alternating skews related to the otolith-ocular responses to fore and aft pitch of the head in lateral-eyed animals. In lateral-eyed animals the expected response to a static head pitch is cyclorotation of the eyes. But if the eyes are rotated horizontally in the orbit, away from the primary position, a compensatory skew deviation should also appear. The direction of the skew would depend upon whether the eyes were directed to the right (left eye forward, right eye backward) or to the left (left eye backward, right eye forward). In contrast, for frontal-eyed animals, skew deviations are counterproductive because they create diplopia and interfere with binocular vision. We attribute the emergence of skew deviations in frontal-eyed animals in pathological conditions to 1) an imbalance in otolithocular pathways and 2) a loss of the component of ocular motor innervation that normally corrects for the differences in pulling directions and strengths of the various ocular muscles as the eyes change position in the orbit. Such a compensatory mechanism is necessary to ensure optimal binocular visual function during and after head motion. This compensatory mechanism may depend upon the cerebellum.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of exercise during head-down bed rest on postural control.

BACKGROUND: The effects of exercise on postural control during walking were evaluated following exposure to head-down bed rest (BR). METHODS: Two groups of male subjects (N = 18, mean age = 21.4 yr +/- SE 1.0) were exposed to 5 d of 6 degrees head-down bed rest. The experimental group (E) exercised 90 min.d-1 (n = 12 subjects) during the BR while the control group received no intervention (n = 6). The exercise treatment consisted of a combination of isotonic and isokinetic lower extremity exercise training. Electromyographic (EMG) activity in the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris was measured during walking before and after BR. RESULTS: Following BR, EMG activity increased in both test subject groups for all muscles (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in EMG activity between the C and E groups either before or after BR. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the ability of the postural control system to adjust to the gravitational environment was compromised as a result of BR. In addition, we conclude that the exercise protocol used was not an effective countermeasure to the alterations in the postural control system.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation and treatment of uncompensated unilateral vestibular disease.

This article reviews the general literature regarding the clinical evaluation and treatment of a unilateral vestibular deficit. The clinical approach by the authors is highlighted with a focus on bedside examinations and cyclodeviation measurements. Vestibular rehabilitation is currently considered the best approach to rehabilitation at present, and its physiologic basis is reviewed. When applied early in the course of recovery, vestibular rehabilitation can hasten compensation and also reduce symptoms resulting from permanent deficits caused by vestibular injury.

Humans↗