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Mildren RL, Cullen KE. Vestibular Contributions to Primate Neck Postural Muscle Activity during Natural Motion. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2326-2337. [PMID: 36801822 PMCID: PMC10072293 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1831-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
To maintain stable posture of the head and body during our everyday activities, the brain integrates information across multiple sensory systems. Here, we examined how the primate vestibular system, independently and in combination with visual sensory input, contributes to the sensorimotor control of head posture across the range of dynamic motion experienced during daily life. We recorded activity of single motor units in the splenius capitis and sternocleidomastoid muscles in rhesus monkeys during yaw rotations spanning the physiological range of self-motion (up to 20 Hz) in darkness. Splenius capitis motor unit responses continued to increase with frequency up to 16 Hz in normal animals, and were strikingly absent following bilateral peripheral vestibular loss. To determine whether visual information modulated these vestibular-driven neck muscle responses, we experimentally controlled the correspondence between visual and vestibular cues of self-motion. Surprisingly, visual information did not influence motor unit responses in normal animals, nor did it substitute for absent vestibular feedback following bilateral peripheral vestibular loss. A comparison of muscle activity evoked by broadband versus sinusoidal head motion further revealed that low-frequency responses were attenuated when low- and high-frequency self-motion were experienced concurrently. Finally, we found that vestibular-evoked responses were enhanced by increased autonomic arousal, quantified via pupil size. Together, our findings directly establish the vestibular system's contribution to the sensorimotor control of head posture across the dynamic motion range experienced during everyday activities, as well as how vestibular, visual, and autonomic inputs are integrated for postural control.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our sensory systems enable us to maintain control of our posture and balance as we move through the world. Notably, the vestibular system senses motion of the head and sends motor commands, via vestibulospinal pathways, to axial and limb muscles to stabilize posture. By recording the activity of single motor units, here we show, for the first time, that the vestibular system contributes to the sensorimotor control of head posture across the dynamic motion range experienced during everyday activities. Our results further establish how vestibular, autonomic, and visual inputs are integrated for postural control. This information is essential for understanding both the mechanisms underlying the control of posture and balance, and the impact of the loss of sensory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn L Mildren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Kathleen E Cullen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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2
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Correia MA, McLachlin SD, Cronin DS. Vestibulocollic and Cervicocollic Muscle Reflexes in a Finite Element Neck Model During Multidirectional Impacts. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:1645-1656. [PMID: 33942199 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02783-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Active neck musculature plays an important role in the response of the head and neck during impact and can affect the risk of injury. Finite element Human Body Models (HBM) have been proposed with open and closed-loop controllers for activation of muscle forces; however, controllers are often calibrated to specific experimental loading cases, without considering the intrinsic role of physiologic muscle reflex mechanisms under different loading conditions. This study aimed to develop a single closed-loop controller for neck muscle activation in a contemporary male HBM based on known reflex mechanisms and assess how this approach compared to current open-loop controllers across a range of impact directions and severities. Controller parameters were optimized using volunteer data and independently assessed across twelve impact conditions. The kinematics from the closed-loop controller simulations showed good average CORA rating to the experimental data (0.699) for the impacts following the ISO/TR9790 standard. Compared to previously optimized open-loop activation strategy, the average difference was less than 9%. The incorporation of the reflex mechanisms using a closed-loop controller can provide robust performance for a range of impact directions and severities, which is critical to improving HBM response under a larger spectrum of automotive impact simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus A Correia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Stewart D McLachlin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Duane S Cronin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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3
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Frýdlová P, Sedláčková K, Žampachová B, Kurali A, Hýbl J, Škoda D, Kutílek P, Landová E, Černý R, Frynta D. A gyroscopic advantage: phylogenetic patterns of compensatory movements in frogs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.186544. [PMID: 30446541 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.186544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Head and eye compensatory movements known as vestibulo-ocular and vestibulo-cervical reflexes are essential to stay orientated in space while moving. We have used a previously developed methodology focused on the detailed mathematical description of head compensatory movements in frogs without the need for any surgical procedures on the examined specimens. Our comparative study comprising 35 species of frogs from different phylogenetic backgrounds revealed species-specific head compensatory abilities ensuring gaze stabilization. Moreover, we found a strong phylogenetic signal highlighting the great ability of compensatory head movements in families of Pyxicephalidae and Rhacophoridae from the Natatanura group. By contrast, families of Dendrobatidae and Microhylidae exhibited only poor or no head compensatory movements. Contrary to our expectation, the results did not corroborate an ecomorphological hypothesis anticipating a close relationship between ecological parameters and the head compensatory movements. We did not find any positive association between more complex (3D structured, arboreal or aquatic) habitats or more saltatory behavior and elevated abilities of head compensatory movements. Moreover, we found compensatory movements in most basal Archeobatrachia, giving an indication of common ancestry of these abilities in frogs that are variously pronounced in particular families. We hypothesize that the uncovered proper gaze stabilization during locomotion provided by the higher head compensatory abilities can improve or even enable visual perception of the prey. We interpret this completely novel finding as a possible gyroscopic advantage in a foraging context. We discuss putative consequences of such advanced neuromotor skills for diversification and ecological success of the Natatanura group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Frýdlová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Sedláčková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic.,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Žampachová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic.,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Anikó Kurali
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hýbl
- Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Náměstí Sítná 3105, CZ-27201 Kladno, Czech Republic
| | - David Škoda
- Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Náměstí Sítná 3105, CZ-27201 Kladno, Czech Republic
| | - Patrik Kutílek
- Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Náměstí Sítná 3105, CZ-27201 Kladno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Landová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic .,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Černý
- Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Úvalu 84, CZ-15000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-12843 Prague, Czech Republic.,Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, CZ-25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
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4
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Carrick FR, Clark JF, Pagnacco G, Antonucci MM, Hankir A, Zaman R, Oggero E. Head-Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy Affects the Mental and Physical Health of Severe Chronic Postconcussion Patients. Front Neurol 2017; 8:414. [PMID: 28878731 PMCID: PMC5572417 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Approximately 1.8–3.6 million annual traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States. An evidence-based treatment for concussions that is reliable and effective has not been available. Objective The objective of this study is to test whether head–eye vestibular motion (HEVM) therapy is associated with decreased symptoms and increased function in postconcussive syndrome (PCS) patients that have been severely impaired for greater than 6 months after a mild traumatic brain injury. Design Retrospective clinical chart review. Setting and participants Tertiary Specialist Brain Rehabilitation Center. Interventions All subjects underwent comprehensive neurological examinations including measurement of eye and head movement. The seven modules of the C3 Logix Comprehensive Concussion Management System were used for pre- and postmeasurements of outcome of HEVM therapy. Materials and methods We utilized an objective validated measurement of physical and mental health characteristics of our patients before and after a 1-week HEVM rehabilitation program. We included only PCS patients that were disabled from work or school for a period of time exceeding 6 months after suffering a sports concussion. These subjects all were enrolled in a 5-day HEVM rehabilitation program at our Institutional Brain Center with pre- and post-C3 Logix testing outcomes. Results There were statistical and substantive significant decreases in PCS symptom severity after treatment and statistical and substantive significant increases in standardized assessment of concussion scores. The outcomes were associated with positive changes in mental and physical health issues. This is a retrospective review and no control group has been included in this study. These are major limitations with retrospective reviews and further investigations with prospective designs including a randomized controlled study are necessary to further our understanding. Conclusion Head–eye vestibular motion therapy of 5 days duration is associated with statistical and substantive significant decreases of symptom severity associated with chronic PCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Robert Carrick
- Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in Association with University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Neurology, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, FL, United States.,Harvard Macy Institute and MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joseph F Clark
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Guido Pagnacco
- Neurology, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, FL, United States.,Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Matthew M Antonucci
- Neurology, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, FL, United States.,Neurology, Plasticity Brain Center, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Ahmed Hankir
- Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in Association with University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Psychiatry, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, FL, United States
| | - Rashid Zaman
- Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in Association with University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Oggero
- Neurology, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, FL, United States.,Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
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Mitchell DE, Dai C, Rahman MA, Ahn JH, Della Santina CC, Cullen KE. Head movements evoked in alert rhesus monkey by vestibular prosthesis stimulation: implications for postural and gaze stabilization. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78767. [PMID: 24147142 PMCID: PMC3798420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system detects motion of the head in space and in turn generates reflexes that are vital for our daily activities. The eye movements produced by the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) play an essential role in stabilizing the visual axis (gaze), while vestibulo-spinal reflexes ensure the maintenance of head and body posture. The neuronal pathways from the vestibular periphery to the cervical spinal cord potentially serve a dual role, since they function to stabilize the head relative to inertial space and could thus contribute to gaze (eye-in-head + head-in-space) and posture stabilization. To date, however, the functional significance of vestibular-neck pathways in alert primates remains a matter of debate. Here we used a vestibular prosthesis to 1) quantify vestibularly-driven head movements in primates, and 2) assess whether these evoked head movements make a significant contribution to gaze as well as postural stabilization. We stimulated electrodes implanted in the horizontal semicircular canal of alert rhesus monkeys, and measured the head and eye movements evoked during a 100 ms time period for which the contribution of longer latency voluntary inputs to the neck would be minimal. Our results show that prosthetic stimulation evoked significant head movements with latencies consistent with known vestibulo-spinal pathways. Furthermore, while the evoked head movements were substantially smaller than the coincidently evoked eye movements, they made a significant contribution to gaze stabilization, complementing the VOR to ensure that the appropriate gaze response is achieved. We speculate that analogous compensatory head movements will be evoked when implanted prosthetic devices are transitioned to human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana E. Mitchell
- Department of Physiology McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chenkai Dai
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mehdi A. Rahman
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joong Ho Ahn
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Charles C. Della Santina
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Forbes PA, de Bruijn E, Schouten AC, van der Helm FCT, Happee R. Dependency of human neck reflex responses on the bandwidth of pseudorandom anterior-posterior torso perturbations. Exp Brain Res 2013; 226:1-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-012-3388-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Goldberg JM, Cullen KE. Vestibular control of the head: possible functions of the vestibulocollic reflex. Exp Brain Res 2011; 210:331-45. [PMID: 21442224 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-011-2611-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Here, we review the angular vestibulocollic reflex (VCR) focusing on its function during unexpected and voluntary head movements. Theoretically, the VCR could (1) stabilize the head in space during body movements and/or (2) dampen head oscillations that could occur as a result of the head's underdamped mechanics. The reflex appears unaffected when the simplest, trisynaptic VCR pathways are severed. The VCR's efficacy varies across species; in humans and monkeys, head stabilization is ineffective during low-frequency body movements in the yaw plan. While the appearance of head oscillations after the attenuation of semicircular canal function suggests a role in damping, this interpretation is complicated by defects in the vestibular input to other descending motor pathways such as gaze premotor circuits. Since the VCR should oppose head movements, it has been proposed that the reflex is suppressed during voluntary head motion. Consistent with this idea, vestibular-only (VO) neurons, which are possible vestibulocollic neurons, respond vigorously to passive, but not active, head rotations. Although VO neurons project to the spinal cord, their contribution to the VCR remains to be established. VCR cancelation during active head movements could be accomplished by an efference copy signal negating afferent activity related to active motion. Oscillations occurring during active motion could be eliminated by some combination of reflex actions and voluntary motor commands that take into account the head's biomechanics. A direct demonstration of the status of the VCR during active head movements is required to clarify the function of the reflex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay M Goldberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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McArthur KL, Dickman JD. State-dependent sensorimotor processing: gaze and posture stability during simulated flight in birds. J Neurophysiol 2011; 105:1689-700. [PMID: 21307332 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00981.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Vestibular responses play an important role in maintaining gaze and posture stability during rotational motion. Previous studies suggest that these responses are state dependent, their expression varying with the environmental and locomotor conditions of the animal. In this study, we simulated an ethologically relevant state in the laboratory to study state-dependent vestibular responses in birds. We used frontal airflow to simulate gliding flight and measured pigeons' eye, head, and tail responses to rotational motion in darkness, under both head-fixed and head-free conditions. We show that both eye and head response gains are significantly higher during flight, thus enhancing gaze and head-in-space stability. We also characterize state-specific tail responses to pitch and roll rotation that would help to maintain body-in-space orientation during flight. These results demonstrate that vestibular sensorimotor processing is not fixed but depends instead on the animal's behavioral state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly L McArthur
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Reynolds JS, Blum D, Gdowski GT. Reweighting sensory signals to maintain head stability: adaptive properties of the cervicocollic reflex. J Neurophysiol 2008; 99:3123-35. [PMID: 18436637 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00793.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A major goal of this study was to characterize the cervicocollic reflexes (CCRs) in awake squirrel monkeys and compare it to observations in cat. This was carried out by stabilizing the head in space while rotating the lower body. The magnitude and phase of the torque produced between the head and the restraint system was used as an indicator of the CCR. Many properties of the squirrel monkey's CCR were found to be similar to those of the cat. The torque decreased as a function of frequency and amplitude. In addition, the static level of torque increased with head eccentricity. One difference was that the torque was 90x smaller in squirrel monkeys. Biomechanical differences, such as differences in head inertia, could account for these differences. The second goal was to determine if the CCR was sensitive to increases in the head's inertia. To test this, we increased the head's inertia by a factor of 36 and allowed the reflexes to adapt by rotating the whole body while the head was free to move. The CCR was rapidly assessed by periodically stabilizing the head in space during whole-body rotations. The magnitude of the torque increased by nearly 60%, suggesting that the CCR may adapt when changes in the head's inertia are imposed. Changes in the torque were also consistent with changes in head-movement kinematics during whole-body rotation. This suggests that the collic reflexes may dynamically adapt to maintain the performance and kinematics of reflexive head movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Reynolds
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 603, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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