Vestibular Stimulation during a Simple Centrifuge Run.

Abstract : Vestibular stimuli throughout a simple centrifuge run are described in this report, which is the first in a report series that is part of our basic research devoted to an Office of Naval Research accelerated research initiative on vestibular transduction. Herein, we compare stimuli throughout the initial angular acceleration with stimuli during the deceleration that ends the run. We provide tables that show differing rates of change of linear and angular acceleration vectors during the acceleration and deceleration, and we discuss the research steps needed to explain disorientation abhorence reactions and spatial orientation perceptions in centrifuge runs. Keywords: Vestibular transduction, Vestibular stimulus, Centrifuge, Semicircular canals, Otoliths. (js)