Neck proprioception compensates for age-related deterioration of vestibular self-motion perception

• Published in: Experimental brain research Vol. 147; no. 1; pp. 89 - 97
• Main Authors: Schweigart, Georg, Chien, Rey-Djin, Mergner, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.11.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aging - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motion Perception - physiology; Motor control and motor pathways. Reflexes. Control centers of vegetative functions. Vestibular system and equilibration; Neck - innervation; Neck - physiology; Neck Muscles - innervation; Neck Muscles - physiology; Physical Stimulation; Proprioception - physiology; Rotation; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vestibule, Labyrinth - growth & development; Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiology; Vibration; Human; Trunk; Vestibular deterioration; Head; Proprioception; Space perception; Inner ear; Human subjects; Object localisation; Vection; Compensation; Body movement; Sensorial perception; Model; Vestibular-proprioceptive interaction; Neck; Vestibular system; Age

Vestibular functions are known to show some deterioration with age. Vestibular deterioration is often thought to be compensated for by an increase in neck proprioceptive gain. We studied this presumed compensatory mechanism by measuring psychophysical responses to vestibular (horizontal canal), neck...