Neurokinetics Multiaxes Vestibular Test System

需要一个完整的前庭评估系统，包括多轴前庭运动系统、眼球运动测量系统、动物稳定装置、单单元放大器和数据采集系统。该仪器将被每个主要研究人员用来评估前庭功能。该仪器能够执行包括线和角加速度以及偏离垂直旋转的测试在内的行为测试。一些研究人员和转基因核心将检查前庭诱发的眼球运动，其他人将确定单个前庭传入神经纤维的反应动力学。该装置将被安置在华盛顿大学老施林纳医院内，比转基因小鼠的核心高一层，也将作为突变小鼠前庭缺陷的筛查设备。抱怨主观眩晕或平衡困难的人类客观前庭缺陷通常是微妙的，只有在临床实验室环境下的行为测试才能揭示出来。眼球运动在这方面非常有用。例如，在头部定位测试中产生的眼球震颤是良性位置性阵发性眩晕的诊断，而推头测试可以揭示细微的特定半规管功能障碍。小鼠缺乏语言能力；因此，如果我们希望为特定的前庭缺陷提供小鼠模型，就有必要进行复杂的测试来记录这些缺陷。我们希望将小鼠角和线加速的前庭-眼反应标准化。为此，我们需要一种能够提供指定的角加速度和线加速度以及偏离垂直轴旋转的装置。这样的平台将能够在整个相关的频率和幅度范围内评估前庭-眼睛反射。此外，在有必要测试特定治疗药物的可能情况下，评估药理药物作用的标准化数据库将是无价的。现有的测试，如前庭诱发反应，几乎没有神经记录那么灵敏。

A complete vestibular evaluate system including a multi axis vestibular motion system, an eye movement measurement system, an animal stabilization device, a single unit amplifier, and a data acquisition system is requested. The instrument will be utilized by each of the Principle investigators to evaluate vestibular function. The instrument is capable of performing behavioral tests including linear and angular acceleration and off vertical rotary testing. Some investigator and the transgenic core will examine vestibular-evoked eye movements and others will determine the response dynamics of single vestibular afferent nerve fibers. The unit will be housed within the Old Shriner's Hospital at Washington University one floor above the transgenic mouse core and will also serve as a screening device for vestibular deficits in mutant mice. The humans who complain of subjective vertigo or balance difficulties objective vestibular deficits are often subtle and can only be revealed by behavioral tests in a clinical laboratory setting. Eye movements have been extremely useful in this regard. For example, nystagmus produced during head positioning tests is diagnostic for benign positional paroxysmal vertigo and head-thrusting tests can reveal subtle specific semicircular canal dysfunction. Mice lack the capability of speech; therefore if we hope to provide mouse models for specific vestibular defects it is necessary to implement sophisticated tests to document these defects. We desire to standardized the vestibulo-ocular responses to angular and linear acceleration in the mouse. To that end we need a device that can provide specified angular and linear acceleration as well as off vertical axis rotation. Such a platform will enable the evaluation of vestibulo-ocular reflexes over the entire relevant range of frequencies and amplitudes. Further, in the likely scenario of the necessity to test specific therapeutic agents a normative database which to evaluate the action of pharmacological agents will be invaluable. Existing tests such as the vestibular evoked response are not nearly as sensitive as neural recording.