Vestibular Disorders Clinical Trial
Official title:
Vestibular and Multisensory Influence on Bodily and Spatial Representations. Behavioral and Electrophysiological Investigations in Vestibular-defective Patients and Healthy Volunteers
The present project aims at describing how vestibular signals contribute to the multisensory
mechanisms of bodily self-consciousness.
There is a large body of data regarding the sensory and neural mechanisms of
self-consciousness, but most studies have so far demonstrated the contribution of visual,
tactile and proprioceptive signals to bodily self-consciousness. Thus, most studies have
neglected the contribution of the vestibular system, a major sensory system for spatial and
bodily representations. The vestibular system is sensitive to head motions in space and head
inclinations with respect to gravity and it should therefore contribute significantly to
several bodily experiences. This contribution should be put under neuroscientific scrutiny.
We believe that the current neuroscientific models of bodily self-consciousness will be
incomplete until they incorporate the contribution of vestibular signals.
The present project specifically aims at testing the hypothesis according to which
vestibular signals significantly influence bodily self-consciousness, in particular
first-person and third-person perspective taking and the internal body models (i.e. the body
schema and body image). The present project also aims at describing how cortical vestibular
processing is modified during experimental changes of perspective taking and viewpoint. In
addition, the present project will describe whether vestibular disorders change performances
in third-person perspective taking tasks and modify internal body models. This should help
understanding bodily symptoms in vestibular-defective patients. To this end, we will combine
approaches from psychophysics and electrophysiology (electromyography,
electroencephalography) in healthy volunteers and behavioral approached in patients with
vestibular disorders.
These studies should further the understanding of how the brain processes vestibular
signals, which is to date poorly understood. In addition, the outcome of the present project
should help understanding the multiple and complex symptoms reported by patients with
vestibular diseases, and should therefore improve their treatment.
n/a
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
| Status | Clinical Trial | Phase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed |
NCT01399671 -
Study of the Effectiveness of Vestibular Stimulation as a Coadjuvant Treatment in Major Depression
|
N/A |