The vestibular system of vertebrates consists of the utricle, saccule, and the semicircular canals. Head movement causes deformation of hair cell bundles in these organs, which translate this mechanical stimulus into an electrical response sent to the nervous system. This study consisted of two sections, both utilizing a Fortran-based finite element program to study hair cell bundle response. In the first part, the effects of variations in geometry and material properties on bundle mechanical response were studied. Six real cells from the red eared slider turtle utricle were modeled and their response to a gradually increased point load was analyzed. Bundle stiffness and tip link tension distributions were the primary data examined. The cells fell into two groups based on stiffness. All cells exhibited an increase in stiffness as the applied load was increased, but cells in the stiffer group showed a greater increase. Tip link tensions in the compliant group were approximately 3 times as high as those in the stiffer group. Cells in the stiffer group were larger, with more cilia, and also had a higher stereocilia/kinocilium height ratio than the cells in the other group. The stereocilia/kinocilium height ratio was the most important geometric factor in influencing bundle stiffness. Modeling a bundle as just its middle row of stereocilia resulted in some decrease in stiffness, but more significantly, a stiffness that was virtually constant as applied load increased. Tip link tension distributions showed serial behavior in the core rows of stereocilia and parallel behavior in the outer rows; this trend intensified if the tip link elastic modulus was increased. It was demonstrated that full three-dimensional modeling of bundles is critical for obtaining complete and accurate results. In the second part of the study, tip link ion gates were modeled. Sufficient tension in a tip link caused that link's ion gate to open, increasing the length of the link and causing its tension to decrease or the link to go slack. The two parameters that were varied were tip link elastic modulus and tip link gating distance d (change in length of the link). Bundle stiffness drops of up to 25% were obtained, but only when tip links went slack after gate opening; tip link slackening was dependent on tip link gating distance. Higher tip link modulus resulted in higher stiffness drops. Variable tip link modulus and tip link pre-tensioning were modeled. Variable tip link modulus resulted in increased bundle stiffness, especially under high applied loads, and in some cases, resulted in greater bundle stiffness drops when ion gates opened. Tip link pre-tensioning had no noticeable effect on bundle response. No evidence against inclusion of pre-tensioning or variable tip link elastic modulus was found. / Master of Science

The ear is the organ used for hearing and maintaining equilibrium. In the inner ear, the vestibular system is responsible for the sense of balance. The main organs of the vestibular system are the semicircular canals, the saccule, and the utricle. Within each of the vestibular organs, sensory receptors in the form of hair cells detect motion and send a message to the brain for interpretation. Hair cells found in different parts of the inner ear are structurally different and are mechanically specialized to perform different functions. In this study, the linear and torsional stiffnesses were measured for hair cells located in the red ear slider turtle utricle. The system used to measure the stiffnesses was composed of a glass whisker (attached to a pipette) used to produce a force on the tip of the bundle, an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) to measure the displacement of the pipette, and a photoelectronic motion transducer (PMT) to measure the displacement of the bundle. Using the measured values of whisker stiffness, whisker displacement, and bundle displacement, the stiffness of the bundle was calculated using statics. For each bundle tested, the location of the bundle was determined by measuring its position from a landmark in the utricle, the line of polarity reversal, characterized by a 180o change in direction of the hair bundles. Stiffness results showed that the linear stiffness of a bundle increased in the area surrounding the line of polarity reversal, otherwise referred to as the striolar region (average linear stiffness of 2.27 E-04 N/m). The average linear stiffness value of bundles found lateral to the striolar region was 6.30 E-05 N/m and in the region medial to the striolar region was 1.16 E-04 N/m. A wide range of linear stiffnesses were found in hair cells medial to the striolar region. There was no correlation found between the torsional stiffness of a bundle and its position and the height of a bundle and its linear or torsional stiffness. As the force applied to a hair bundle was increased, the measured linear stiffness of the bundle also increased. / Master of Science

The vestibular system is one of our main organs responsible for the sense of balance. This system is located within the inner ear and contains cells with ciliary bundles. These hair cells are transducers that convert a mechanical movement, detected by the bundle of cilia extending from their top surface, into an electrochemical signal to be sent to the brain. The bundles vary structurally within the organs of the inner ear, and this structural difference may play a role in the mechanical properties of each bundle. Analyzing the mechanical properties of the cells will provide information necessary for understanding the transduction process. In an effort to evaluate one of these properties, cell bundle stiffness, a system was designed to mechanically stimulate the bundles within their physiological range and then measure the resulting displacement. The mechanical stimulation was the result of a force applied to the tip of a bundle with the end of a glass whisker. The distance the base of the whisker moves is measured by an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI). The magnitude of this movement is compared with the amount the bundle is deflected, detected by a photoelectronic motion transducer (PMT). Knowing these displacements and the stiffness of the glass whisker, simple kinematics is used to determine the bundle stiffness. System tests were conducted on imitation bundles (whiskers of known stiffness) and the experimental stiffness differed from the known value by less than 4.5% for every test. These results lead us to conclude the system was in good working order and could be used to conduct tests on cell bundles. For tissue tests, this work focused on the hair cells located within the utricle, which senses linear accelerations of the head. Within the utricle, we examined two types of hair cells: non-striolar (medial type II) and striolar. Tests on twelve medial type II cells found bundles ranging in stiffness from 0.26 to 2.62 x 10⁻⁵ N/m. Results with striolar bundles provided a range from 2.83 to 27.10 x 10⁻⁵ N/m. The results of the preliminary tissue tests lead us to conclude that the average stiffness of the striolar and non-striolar bundles seems to vary by an order of magnitude. This is consistent with the relative relationship produced through a computer model. However, the model predicted larger stiffness values for both types of cells. / Master of Science

Background: Sit-to-stand is a challenging task as it requires the transition from a large 3-point base of support to a small 2-point base of support while simultaneously controlling anteroposterior and vertical body acceleration. Age-related morphological changes in both the visual and vestibular system could impair the ability to extract and interpret sensory information necessary for motor control in older adults, which can increase instability and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of aging on visual-vestibular interaction for maintaining stability during sit-to-stand. Methods: Fifteen younger (age=22.5±1.1) and fifteen older (age=73.9±5.3) healthy adults were asked to stand from a sitting position as quickly as possible. Vestibular input was manipulated using percutaneous bipolar galvanic vestibular stimulation where threshold intensity was individually calculated for each participant during quiet stance with eyes closed. Galvanic vestibular stimulation was applied at both threshold (1xGVS) and 2-times the participant’s threshold intensity (2xGVS). Visual conditions included eyes opened, wearing custom-made vision blurring goggles, or eyes closed. Outcome measures included a global measure of performance (transition phase duration), mediolateral stability (peak-to-peak trunk roll angle, mediolateral center of mass displacement, mediolateral center of pressure displacement) and anteroposterior stability (peak braking force, peak-to-peak trunk pitch angle, and peak anteroposterior center of mass velocity). Results: When vision was suboptimal (blurring goggles), older adults had significantly longer transition phase duration than younger adults (p<0.05). Older adults demonstrated greater mediolateral instability than younger adults. When vision was absent, trunk roll angle was significantly greater with 1xGVS than 2xGVS (p<0.05). Mediolateral center of mass displacement was greater when vision was absent than when vision was available, irrespective of age (p<0.05). No effects of age, vision or galvanic vestibular stimulation were seen in peak braking force, trunk pitch angle, and peak anteroposterior center of mass velocity (p>0.05). Conclusion: Regardless of age, visual inputs were more critical to maintain stability during sit-to-stand than vestibular inputs. Differences between younger adults and older adults were only seen in the mediolateral direction. Despite having greater mediolateral instability, older adults utilized similar strategies as younger adults to overcome sensory perturbations during sit-to-stand. / Thesis (Master, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2013-09-20 23:22:16.695

The theoretical part focuses on vestibular system - the formation and role of vestibular information in the control of bipedal locomotion, and processes issues of gait control with respect to walking speed and the use of sensory feedback. The experimental part deals with the effect of rotational stimulation of labyrinth on the ability to maintain straight walking direction with the exclusion of visual control at various speeds - slow walking, fast walking and running. Two groups were tested - younger group aged 21 - 30 years (29 people) and older group aged 41 - 55 years (15 people). The difference between deviations from a straight direction before stimulation (with the exclusion of visual control) and after stimulation appeared to be significant (p < 0.05) for slow walking, fast walking and running, but only in the younger group. In the younger group there was also a statistically significant difference between deviation for slow walking after rotational stimulation and deviations for fast walking and running after stimulation. In the older group there were statistically insignificant differences between deviations before and after stimulation and between various speeds. Younger and older group differed statistically significantly in response to rotational stimulation at slow walking. The results...

SALES, R. Achados da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica em pacientes com disfunção vestibular. 106f. Tese (Doutorado) da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-USP. Ribeirão Preto-SP, 2013. Para a obtenção da visão nítida é necessário que a imagem permaneça estável na retina, mesmo com a movimentação cefálica. As pessoas que sofrem de labirintopatias são mais sensíveis a efeitos visuais, podendo apresentar os sintomas de tontura, enjoo e oscilopsia durante a movimentação cefálica. Esse fato ocorre devido ao conflito sensorial entre o sistema vestibular e visual. O presente estudo objetivou verificar a variação da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica em pacientes com disfunção vestibular. Foram selecionados pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 14 e 88 anos de idade submetidos ao exame de vetoeletronistagmografia entre os anos de 2009 e 2011. Esses pacientes também foram submetidos ao exame de acuidade visual estática e dinâmica. Na acuidade visual dinâmica, foram pré-determinadas frequências de 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 e 2.0 Hertz para a movimentação cefálica. Os resultados mostraram maior decréscimo da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica entre os pacientes com labirintopatias bilaterais se comparadas com as unilaterais e o grupo controle. Além disso, o aumento da frequência produziu decréscimo da acuidade visual em todos os grupos e a posição da movimentação cefálica na vertical mostrou maior sensibilidade se comparada à horizontal. Pôde-se concluir que os pacientes com labirintopatias apresentaram decréscimo da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica, principalmente nas frequências mais altas e com a movimentação cefálica na posição vertical, sendo esses exames importantes para auxiliar no diagnóstico e monitoramento das labirintopatias. Palavras-chave: Acuidade visual; Sistema vestibular / For obtaining an accurate image is necessary that remains stable on the retina, even with head movement. People suffering from labyrinthopathy are more sensitive to visual effects, and may have symptoms of dizziness, nausea and oscillopsia during head movement. This fact occurs because the sensory conflict between visual and vestibular system. The present study aimed to determine the variation of static and dynamic visual acuity in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Selected patients were of both gender, aged between 14 and 88 years old who underwent examination vetoeletronistagmografia between the years 2009 and 2011 at the home Institution. The patients were subjected to tests of visual acuity static and dynamic. In dynamic visual acuity, were predetermined frequencies of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 Hz for the patient\'s head movement. The results showed a greater decrease in static and dynamic visual acuity among patients with bilateral labyrinthopathy compared with the unilateral and control groups. In addition, the frequency increase produced decreased visual acuity in all groups and the position of head movement in the vertical showed a higher sensitivity compared to the horizontal. It was concluded that patients with labyrinthopathy showed a decrease of static and dynamic visual acuity, especially at higher frequencies and with head movement in a vertical position, and these important tests to assist in diagnosis and monitoring of the labyrinthopathy. Keywords: Visual acuity; Vestibular system

The pharmacodynamic effects of Risperidone on the vestibular system were assessed via dynamic computed posturography in 12 healthy subjects (6 male). Subjects were administered 2 mg, orally, of Risperidone and assessed on the NeuroCom® Balance Master© system under varying conditions. The vestibular response was deductively quantified by first assessing balance with a static force plate and eyes closed (Condition 2), and then assessed on a dynamic force plate with eyes closed (Condition 5). On average, Condition 2 scores were 24.46 points higher than Condition 5 scores (95% CI [20.973, 27.957]). A Pearson correlation between scores in Condition 2 and 5 showed a significant, moderate positive correlation (r = .487, p <.001). A trend analysis showed the effect of time, post-dose, on equilibrium score to be linear in nature (p < .001). In conclusion, some, but not all, of the subjects involved in the study experienced diminished vestibular control after administration of Risperidone; this may be due to phenotypic differences or learning effects.

SALES, R. Achados da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica em pacientes com disfunção vestibular. 106f. Tese (Doutorado) da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-USP. Ribeirão Preto-SP, 2013. Para a obtenção da visão nítida é necessário que a imagem permaneça estável na retina, mesmo com a movimentação cefálica. As pessoas que sofrem de labirintopatias são mais sensíveis a efeitos visuais, podendo apresentar os sintomas de tontura, enjoo e oscilopsia durante a movimentação cefálica. Esse fato ocorre devido ao conflito sensorial entre o sistema vestibular e visual. O presente estudo objetivou verificar a variação da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica em pacientes com disfunção vestibular. Foram selecionados pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 14 e 88 anos de idade submetidos ao exame de vetoeletronistagmografia entre os anos de 2009 e 2011. Esses pacientes também foram submetidos ao exame de acuidade visual estática e dinâmica. Na acuidade visual dinâmica, foram pré-determinadas frequências de 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 e 2.0 Hertz para a movimentação cefálica. Os resultados mostraram maior decréscimo da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica entre os pacientes com labirintopatias bilaterais se comparadas com as unilaterais e o grupo controle. Além disso, o aumento da frequência produziu decréscimo da acuidade visual em todos os grupos e a posição da movimentação cefálica na vertical mostrou maior sensibilidade se comparada à horizontal. Pôde-se concluir que os pacientes com labirintopatias apresentaram decréscimo da acuidade visual estática e dinâmica, principalmente nas frequências mais altas e com a movimentação cefálica na posição vertical, sendo esses exames importantes para auxiliar no diagnóstico e monitoramento das labirintopatias. Palavras-chave: Acuidade visual; Sistema vestibular / For obtaining an accurate image is necessary that remains stable on the retina, even with head movement. People suffering from labyrinthopathy are more sensitive to visual effects, and may have symptoms of dizziness, nausea and oscillopsia during head movement. This fact occurs because the sensory conflict between visual and vestibular system. The present study aimed to determine the variation of static and dynamic visual acuity in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Selected patients were of both gender, aged between 14 and 88 years old who underwent examination vetoeletronistagmografia between the years 2009 and 2011 at the home Institution. The patients were subjected to tests of visual acuity static and dynamic. In dynamic visual acuity, were predetermined frequencies of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 Hz for the patient\'s head movement. The results showed a greater decrease in static and dynamic visual acuity among patients with bilateral labyrinthopathy compared with the unilateral and control groups. In addition, the frequency increase produced decreased visual acuity in all groups and the position of head movement in the vertical showed a higher sensitivity compared to the horizontal. It was concluded that patients with labyrinthopathy showed a decrease of static and dynamic visual acuity, especially at higher frequencies and with head movement in a vertical position, and these important tests to assist in diagnosis and monitoring of the labyrinthopathy. Keywords: Visual acuity; Vestibular system

This diploma thesis is focused on the vestibular system and its influence on postural musculature. The theoretical section contains an overview of modern findings concerning the vestibular system and its impact on other parts of the organism. Besides anatomical and physiological findings, the theoretical section also contains a research section which includes studies on the vestibular system, posture, stretching and their mutual effects. The main focus of the practical section is to prove the influence of the vestibular system on musculature, mainly the extensors and flexors of the lower limbs. Affecting the vestibular system causes lengthening of the ischiocrural muscles and shortening of the hip flexors (musculus rectus femoris). In this study, we tested 39 probands and measured their results after rotational vestibular stimulation. The measurements were taken goniometrically in the hip and knee joints. Dynamic parameters of the spine were also measured, along with Thomayers distance in metric values. The results have been statistically and graphically evaluated. It was proven that the vestibular system has a large statistical impact on the ischiocrural muscles as well as the frontal thigh muscles. An influence of the vestibular system on the paravertebral muscles was however not proven. In the...

Full motion simulators are traditionally used in the flight industry to train pilots. They are used to add the sensation of acceleration in simulation to make it more "realistic". Clearly the motion envelop of the simulator is limited by physical constraints so the motion platform has to be stopped and returned to the center position after an acceleration cue, called washout. A key question is: which acceleration can a subject feel and which not, called the acceleration threshold. We are also interested in strength of accelerations for which a subject can detect the direction. Literature gives several results, but we found that some of these values seemed very low to us and the experiments were conducted on very specific groups of people like pilots, A.J.Benson and H.Vogel (1986), Schroeder (1999). Furthermore, we are simulating moving vehicles like a car or an air plane and are interested in the acceleration ranges in a noisy environment. Noisy, the noise is a result from the vibration of engines, rough roads and disturbances that are Gaussian. This thesis gives a literature review, implement the cueing procedure to make motion and vibration to do different experiment and analyze the results. / Thesis / Master of Computer Science (MCS)