Innovative Methodologies for measuring behavioral vestibular thresholds

描述（由申请人提供）：最近的研究表明，前庭线索诱发的反射和感知可以利用性质上不同的机制;然而，关于前庭感知的知识很少。这可能是为什么大部分前庭患者报告未诊断的感知缺陷。不管解释如何，许多知觉缺陷的根本原因都没有得到诊断。除主观视觉垂直测试外，定量临床测试仅关注反射反应。然而，最好的方法来分析未确诊的运动知觉症状是通过知觉测试。因此，本文提出的研究的主要目标是开发新的和改进的方法来测量一般的行为阈值，特别是前庭阈值。为了实现这些目标，我们提出了理论分析，数值模拟，和一些有限的人体测试。更具体地说，为了实现上述目标，我们提出了以下具体目标：目标1。正式和明确地将信号检测理论应用于行为前庭阈值的测量。目标2.开发、测试和验证改进的行为阈值分析技术。目标3。开发，应用和验证自动计算机自适应方法的行为前庭阈值数据收集。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent studies have shown that reflexes and perception evoked by vestibular cues can utilize qualitatively different mechanisms; yet there is a paucity of knowledge regarding vestibular perception. This may be why large percentages of vestibular patients report perceptual deficits that are undiagnosed. Regardless of explanation, the underlying causes of many perceptual deficits are not diagnosed. With the exception of the subjective visual vertical test, quantitative clinical tests focus exclusively on reflexive responss. However, the best way to assay undiagnosed motion perception symptoms is via perceptual testing. Therefore, the primary goal for the research proposed herein is to develop new and improved methodologies to measure behavioral thresholds, in general, and vestibular thresholds, in particular. To achieve these goals, we propose theoretic analyses, numerical simulations, and some limited human testing. More specifically, to accomplish the above goals we proposal the following specific aims: Aim 1. Formally and explicitly apply signal detection theory to the measurement of behavioral vestibular thresholds. Aim 2. Develop, test, and verify improved analysis techniques for behavioral thresholds. Aim 3. Develop, apply, and verify automated computer adaptive methodologies for behavioral vestibular threshold data collection.