CENTRAL MECHANISMS CONTROLLING GAZE AND HEAD POSTURE

这项拟议研究的长期目标是确定 不同的感觉输入发挥和中央执行的操作 神经结构介导的一些反射行为， 有助于控制垂直凝视和头部姿势。 在 具体而言，本研究旨在实现以下目标：（a） 以表征前庭、视觉和颈部之间的相互作用 本体感受输入相对于a相对于运动输出，（B）以定义 由小脑和脑干结构执行的特定操作 在调解反射行为，和（c）了解 凝视和姿势平衡障碍的病理生理学基础， 以确定中枢神经系统在大脑中使用的适应策略， 以补偿前庭缺陷 这项建议的更具体的目的是处理垂直半圆形 耳道和耳石之间的相互作用， Cajal核和其他结构。 行为观察和 投入产出关系的定量分析将有助于确定 反射反应的动力学特征。 单个单元记录 警觉的动物会指出哪些信息是通过某些 神经通路，并建议由特定的神经元执行的功能， 结构. 数学建模将提供一个概念框架， 识别垂直前庭的这些基本特征， 视觉系统是不变的参考框架使用。 数学函数和几何表示将定义这些 功能. 这项工作的实验结果很可能表明， 临床上可用于（1）垂直管和耳石器官功能的检测， (2)测量前庭脊髓反射，和（3）帮助区分 在主诉眩晕的患者中， 和失衡

The long-term goal of this proposed research is to identify the roles which different sensory inputs play and the operations performed by central neural structures in mediating some of the reflex behaviors which contribute to the control of vertical gaze and head posture. In particular, the research is directed toward the following objectives: (a) to characterize the interaction among vestibular, visual and neck proprioceptive inputs vis a vis the motor outputs, (b) to define the specific operations performed by the cerebellum and brain stem structures in mediating the reflex behaviors, and (c) to understand the pathophysiology underlying disorders of gaze and postural equilibrium and to identify adaptive strategies used by the central nervous system in compensating for vestibular deficits. The more specific aims of this proposal deal with the vertical semicircular canal and otolith interactions which are mediated by the interstitial nucleus of Cajal and other structures. Behaviorial observations and quantitative analyses of input-output relations will serve to define the dynamic characteristics of reflex responses. Single unit recordings in alert animals will indicate what information is transmitted over certain neural pathways and suggest the functions performed by specific neural structures. Mathematical modelling will provide a conceptual framework for identifying those essential features of the vertical vestibular and oculomotor systems which are invariant to the frame of reference used. Mathematical functions and geometrical representations will define these features. The experimental results of this work may well suggest protocols that could be used clinically to (1) test vertical canal and otolith organ function, (2) measure vestibulo-spinal reflexes, and (3) aid in differentiating between central and peripheral deficits in patients complaining of vertigo and dysequilibrium.