A temporary threshold shift for self-motion detection following sustained, oscillating linear acceleration

Thresholds for detecting linear motion (self-motion) increased following exposure of human observers to sustained linear oscillation (fatiguing stimulus) at 0.26 Hz and approximately 0.5 G peak-to-peak for durations up to 30 min. Recovery to preexposure levels took place over a period of 10 to 15 rain following the sustained oscillation termination. Differences in threshold shift magnitudes following sustained oscillation in various orientations support the interpretation that the observed threshold shifts resulted from fatigue of the utricular otolith receptors. Threshold shifts were not obtained following exposure of the human observers to sustained, unidirectional linear acceleration (2 G) for durations up to 10 rain with a centrifuge. The results of this study suggest a previously unobserved response property of the otolith organs, namely, that these organs can be fatigued in a manner analogous to other receptor systems.

[1]  J. Goldberg,et al.  Physiology of peripheral neurons innervating otolith organs of the squirrel monkey. I. Response to static tilts and to long-duration centrifugal force. , 1976, Journal of neurophysiology.

[2]  E D Adrian,et al.  Discharges from vestibular receptors in the cat , 1943, The Journal of physiology.

[3]  D. N. Elliott,et al.  Chapter Four – Fatigue and Adaptation , 1970 .

[4]  D. Klein,et al.  Absence of choline acetyltransferase in rat and rabbit pineal gland. , 1974, Brain research.

[5]  E. Walsh,et al.  The perception of rhythmically repeated linear motion in the horizontal plane. , 1962, British journal of psychology.

[6]  A Graybiel,et al.  Progressive adaptation to Coriolis accelerations associated with 1-rpm increments in the velocity of the slow rotation room. , 1970, Aerospace medicine.

[7]  F. Guedry.  Psychophysics of Vestibular Sensation , 1974 .

[8]  W. E. Collins.  Habituation of Vestibular Responses with and without Visual Stimulation , 1974 .

[9]  D. Parker.  Interactions between electrical and mechanical vestibular stimulation: observations on rabbits and men. , 1970, Journal of experimental psychology.

[10]  S Lechner-Steinleitner,et al.  The effect of preceding tilt on the perceived vertical. Hysteresis in perception of the vertical. , 1978, Acta oto-laryngologica.

[11]  E. Walsh.  THE PERCEPTION OF RHYTHMICALLY REPEATED LINEAR MOTION IN THE VERTICAL PLANE. , 1964, Quarterly journal of experimental physiology and cognate medical sciences.

[12]  W. E. Collins.  Arousal and Vestibular Habituation , 1974 .