Neural correlates of vestibular illusions
Abstract
ft pilots are routinely subjected to high velocities and acceleration during flight (e.g., during take-off or while making aerial maneuvers). However, as a result, they can experience spatial disorientation and then do not correctly perceiving their position and orientation with respect to gravity. One example of spatial disorientation is the somatogravic illusion, during which pilots incorrectly perceive their orientation as being tilted backwards when this is in fact not the case, which can lead to fatal aviation accidents. In general, the vestibular system enables people to sense the direction and speed of movement, determine body orientation, as well as maintain balance. While this essential system is thought to play an important role in causing spatial disorientation, our knowledge of how this happens remains limited to date. This is in part due to the fact that we still do not know what happens inside a person s brain during spatial disorientation. Specifically, we do not understand how neurons can cause someone to incorrectly perceive that they are being tilted backwards during the somatogravic illusion. Our research focuses on using animal models to understand how neurons along the vestibular system give rise to spatial disorientation such as the somatogravic illusion. By recording from vestibular neurons while physically moving the animals to induce the somatogravic illusion, we will gain key knowledge as to how the vestibular system can generate spatial disorientation. Importantly, because brain function and spatial disorientation in these animal models both closely resemble our known, it is likely that the results obtained will be applicable to humans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410300
Entities
People
- Maurice Chacron
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force