Vestibular prepulse inhibition of the human blink reflex
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Auditory and somatosensory prepulses are commonly used to assess prepulse inhibition (PPI). The effect of a vestibular prepulse upon blink reflex excitability has not been hitherto assessed. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy subjects and two patients with bilateral peripheral vestibular failure took part in the study. Whole body yaw rotation in the dark provided a vestibular inertial prepulse. Blink reflex was electrically evoked after the end of the rotation. The amplitude of R1 and the area-under-the-curve (area) of the blink reflex R2 and R2c responses were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: A vestibular prepulse inhibited the R2 (p < 0.001) and R2c area (p < 0.05). Increasing the angular acceleration did not increase the R2 and R2c inhibition (p > 0.05). Voluntary suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex did not affect the magnitude of inhibition (p > 0.05). Patients with peripheral vestibular failure did not show any inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a vestibular gating mechanism in humans. SIGNIFICANCE: The main brainstem nucleus mediating PPI - the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) - is heavily vestibular responsive, which is consistent with our findings of a vestibular-mediated PPI. Our technique may be used to interrogate the fidelity of brain circuits mediating vestibular-related PPN functions. Given the PPN's importance in human postural control, our technique may also provide a neurophysiological biomarker of balance.
Date Issued
2024-11
Date Acceptance
2024-08-08
Citation
Clinical Neurophysiology, 2024, 167
ISSN
1388-2457
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Clinical Neurophysiology
Volume
167
Copyright Statement
© 2024 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V.
This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39232454
Subjects
Blink reflex
Galvanic vestibular stimulation
Pedunculopontine nucleus
Prepulse inhibition
Vestibular system
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Netherlands
Date Publish Online
2024-08-14