Biomedical subjects

T Probst

Publications and source records attributed to T Probst.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Electrophysiological evidence for visual-vestibular interaction in man.

The aim of the experiments reported here was to confirm electrophysiologically the results of psychophysical experiments, which demonstrated that thresholds for object-motion detection are significantly raised during both concurrent active or passive sinusoidal head oscillations and during visually induced self-motion perception (circularvection, CV). This intersensory inhibition could now be demonstrated electrophysiologically by recording visual motion evoked potentials both during concurrent sinusoidal head oscillations and during visually induced apparent self-motion of the objectively stationary subject. Recordings of visual contrast reversal evoked potentials failed to reveal such an interaction. Perceptual phenomena with multisensory stimulation are well described in the literature. Berthoz et al. demonstrated the dominant influence of the visual channel on vestibular thresholds such that the detection of a suprathreshold vestibular stimulation was clearly impaired by a simultaneously moving visual pattern inducing linearvection and vice versa. Comparable results are reported for circularvection. Evidence for inhibitory interaction between object-motion and simultaneous self-motion perception also exists. Electrophysiological data on intersensory interaction in humans have only been reported between electrical stimulation of a limb and its concurrent movement by means of scalp-recorded somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) (e.g. refs. 3, 5). Electrophysiological evidence for the interaction of visual object-motion and vestibular self-motion perception in humans has never been reported in the literature thus far, though Hood and Kayan demonstrated that retinal image motion makes a contribution to the vestibularly evoked bioelectric response.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Active immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone combined with androgen supplementation is a promising antifertility vaccine for males.

Male rats and rabbits were immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) conjugated to tetanus toxoid (GnRH10-TT) using only materials approved for humans. Testosterone (T)-releasing implants or the long-lasting T ester testosterone-17-trans-4-n-butyl-cyclohexane carboxylate (TE) was used as supplemental androgen for maintaining libido. Immunization against GnRH10-TT effectively suppressed fertility (spermatogenesis) in rats and rabbits. Neither T nor TE administration restored fertility. Both androgens were effective in maintaining normal libido in rats. TE, which is not hydrolyzed in rabbits, was less effective in maintaining normal ejaculatory behavior in this species. Active immunization against GnRH could be a convenient and cost-effective method of fertility control in males.

Androgens↗

PubMed1987

Influence of head or trunk oscillations on visually induced self-motion perception in humans.

The influence of concurrent head or trunk movements on optokinetically induced self-motion perception has been investigated by measuring circularvection (CV) latencies. Active head as well as passive trunk oscillation cause an increase in circularvection latency of about 50% as compared to latencies with the head and trunk stationary during full field optokinetic stimulation. The results point towards an intersensory inhibition of self-motion perception.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Importance of the visual cortex for postural stabilization: inferences from pigeon and frog data.

Optokinetically induced self-motion with its consequences for postural balance is based upon visual-vestibular convergence. It is a matter for speculation which visual pathways--subcortical accessory optic tract and/or cortical striate projection--convey optokinetic information to the central vestibular system. The functional significance of the visual cortex was tested by a behavioral approach in two animals, selected for their different evolutionary stage: frog (midbrain visual center); pigeon (primitive neocortical center). Lateral postural sway during optokinetic stimulation in roll served as a measurement for induced rollvection and apparent body tilt. Roll motion elicits a tonic 'compensatory' postural adjustment towards the direction of pattern motion in pigeon as in man but not in frog. From the lack of this reaction we infer that the frog does not perceive rollvection because it has no visual cortex. This agrees with the absence of visual-vestibular convergence in the frogs vestibular nuclei neurons as well as the absence of a nystagmus velocity storage in the brainstem. The animal experiments fit human data in hemianopic patients who also only experience rollvection when stimulated in the unaffected hemifield.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Object-motion detection affected by concurrent self-motion perception: applied aspects for vehicle guidance.

Thresholds and response times for object-motion detection are significantly raised during concurrent real or visually induced self-motion perception. This was demonstrated by standardized laboratory experiments in which subjects had to react to a suprathreshold visual stimulus (1 degree-light spot moving with 5 degrees/s speed) under different stimulus conditions of simultaneously perceived self-motion. Elevated response times (mean elevation factor: 3.27) were also obtained for the detection of changes in inter-vehicle distance (headway) under real road conditions with the simultaneous involvement of self- and object-motion perception compared to a corresponding (object-motion perception) simulation in the laboratory without any self-motion. With regard to vehicle guidance, existing concepts of safe stopping distances, which depend upon adequate detection of a collision course and the corresponding reaction times, have to be recalculated.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

European vestibular experiments on the Spacelab-1 mission: 2. Experimental equipment and methods.

A series of vestibular experiments were performed in conjunction with the first Spacelab mission, consisting of sets of pre-, in- and postflight tests. A multipurpose experimental apparatus used for the diverse flight and ground tests is presented. Additional apparatus together with the multi-purpose package were used in the baseline data collection facility at the landing site at NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility for the ground tests. The tests involved optokinetic, caloric and mechanical (whole-body or head-alone) stimulation. The latter included linear acceleration in the subject's x, y and z axes, static roll and yaw about an earth-vertical axis. Physiological parameters such as electro-oculogram (EOG), blood-volume-pulse (BVP), respiration, as well as the stimulus variables such as acceleration and caloric temperature were transmitted to the ground and recorded there. The flight and ground testing schedules are outlined. Problems arising from this complex venture are discussed, and some suggestions are made for future improvement.

Acceleration↗

PubMed1986

European vestibular experiments on the Spacelab-1 mission: 5. Contribution of the otoliths to the vertical vestibulo-ocular reflex.

The gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in the sagittal plane may be due to a cooperation between otoliths and the vertical semi-circular canals. The present space experiment was aimed at studying the influence of the absence of gravity stimulation on the otoliths, by comparing VOR gain and phase in space and on ground. Measurements were taken the 5th and the 7th day of flight, the subject being asked to perform, eyes closed, active head oscillations in pitch while fixating an imaginary target in front of him. No significant decrease of the VOR gain was found in space, but a change in phase was noted. A significant increase of the VOR gain was found 14 h after landing. Control experiments have been done on ground on several subjects. They indicate that pitch VOR gain during active head movements is about one, with eyes open in darkness at 1 Hz.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1986

Object-motion detection affected by concurrent self-motion perception: psychophysics of a new phenomenon.

Thresholds for object-motion detection are significantly raised when concurrent self-motion perception is induced by either vestibular, or visual, or cervico-somatosensory stimulation. Active sinusoidal horizontal head oscillations with compensatory vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and foveal or eccentrical target presentation; 'passive' head movements with fixation suppression of the VOR; pure body oscillations with the head fixed in space (cervical stimulation); optokinetically induced apparent self-motion (circularvection). This new visual phenomenon of a physiological 'inhibitory interaction' between object- and self-motion perception seems to have a somatosensory motor analogue. It may reflect the disadventageous side effect due to unspecificness of an otherwise beneficial space constancy mechanism, which provides us with the image of a stable world during locomotion.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Differential effects of ambivalent visual-vestibular-somatosensory stimulation on the perception of self-motion.

The direction of perceived self-motion was determined as a function of combined visual-vestibular and vestibulo-somatosensory stimulations about the earth's vertical z-axis by means of a rotary chair and drum system. The predominant influence of concurrent antagonistic vestibular stimulation on circular vection (CV) even at small accelerations has been demonstrated by several studies in the past. The results of the present paper do not confirm the generally assumed influence of the vestibular system on exocentric motion perception, but instead produce evidence of the dominance of the visual channel even at high acceleration levels. Using a joystick to indicate perceived self-motion, we found the following: Constant CV (visual stimulus velocity: 40 degrees/s) could only be cancelled by vestibular stimulations at oppositely directed mean angular accelerations of 26.9 +/- 9.1 degrees/s2. Smaller accelerations led merely to an acceleration level-related decrease in the perceived velocity of CV. Despite a clear decision with respect to the direction of the perceived motion, subjects (Ss) reported dizziness or even strong motion sickness symptoms. Similar results were obtained with vestibulo-somatosensory interactions. The results are interpreted in terms of an intensive visual support in the processing of visual-vestibular signals, particularly at cortical level, assuming a cortical velocity generator (CVG).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Interaction between perceived self-motion and object-motion impairs vehicle guidance.

When one is riding in a vehicle, perceptual thresholds for motion of objects are significantly elevated above those determined under corresponding but simulated conditions in the laboratory without concurrent self-motion perception. Authorities on road traffic accidents should thus consider an additional perceptual time of at least 300 milliseconds for detecting critical changes in headway beyond the usual reaction time. Detection times thus corrected consequently lead to an alteration of our conception of safe intervehicle distances in a convoy. This elevation of thresholds for object-motion during self-motion, with its consequences for visual control of vehicle guidance, can be seen as a disadvantageous side effect of an otherwise beneficial space-constancy mechanism, which provides us with a stable world during locomotion.

Automobile Driving↗

PubMed1984

Effects of rectilinear acceleration and optokinetic and caloric stimulations in space.

During the flight of Spacelab 1 the crew performed a number of experiments to explore changes in vestibular function and visual-vestibular interactions on exposure to microgravity. Measurements were made on the threshold for detection of linear oscillation, vestibulo-ocular reflexes elicited by angular and linear movements, oculomotor and posture responses to optokinetic stimulations, and responses to caloric stimulation. Tests were also conducted on the ground, during the 4 months before and on days 1 to 6 after flight. The most significant result was that caloric mystagmus of the same direction as on the earth could also be evoked in the weightless environment.

Acceleration↗

PubMed1982

[Visual prevention from motion sickness in cars].

The differential effects of vision on motion sickness in cars were tested under real road conditions using linear accelerations, in order to confirm earlier laboratory results on visual modulation of vestibular nausea induced by angular accelerations of the body. The 18 voluntary subjects were exposed to repetitive braking maneuvers (linear accelerations: 0.1-1.2 g) on a highway. The simultaneous visual stimulus conditions for the 3 separate days were: I) eyes open, visual control of car motion; II) eyes closed; III) eyes open, artificial stationary visual field (reading). The severity of motion sickness (magnitude estimation 1-10) was a function of the visual stimulus condition with significant differences among these conditions: I) moderate nausea (less than 1) with adequate visual motion perception; II) medium nausea (approximately equal to 2) with eyes closed and somatosensory-vestibular excitation only; III) strong nausea (greater than 5) with conflicting sensory input, when vestibular acceleration is in disagreement with the visual information of no movement. Providing ample peripheral vision of the relatively moving surround is the best strategy to alleviate car sickness.

Acceleration↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of metal additives and bromine in recycled thermoplasts from electronic waste by TXRF analysis.

A new method for analysis of metal additives in recycled thermoplasts from electronic waste was developed, based on dissolving the samples in an organic solvent and subsequent analysis of the corresponding solutions or suspensions by total-reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). The procedure proved to be considerably less time consuming than the conventional digestion of the polymer matrix. Additives containing Ti, Zn, Br, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Pb were analyzed in a hundred randomly selected samples from recycling, which provided an overview of the range of elemental concentrations in thermoplasts utilized for consumer electronics. The results were validated independently by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), subsequent regression analysis confirmed the trueness of the chosen approach.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pavlovian conditioning of taste aversion using a motion sickness paradigm.

OBJECTIVE: Pavlovian conditioning of taste aversion has rarely been investigated in healthy humans using motion sickness as the unconditioned stimulus (US). METHODS: Ninety subjects were pretested for susceptibility to illusory motion (vection) in a rotating drum. Thirty-two subjects susceptible to pseudomotion were assigned randomly to two groups and received either water 1 hour before rotation and a novel taste (elderberry juice, conditioned stimulus, [CS]) immediately before rotation in a rotating chair (conditioning group), or the sequence of water and juice was reversed (control group). During the test session 1 week later, all subjects were exposed to water 1 hour before and juice immediately before rotation. The amount of liquids ingested, nausea ratings, rotation tolerance, and blood levels of hormones (ACTH, ADH, PP) were evaluated. RESULTS: Subjects in the conditioning group developed taste aversion toward the novel taste, but not subjects in the control group. Postrotation nausea rating was affected marginally by conditioning, but rotation tolerance was not changed by conditioning. ACTH and ADH but not PP levels increased with rotation, but were unaffected by conditioning. CONCLUSIONS: Pavlovian conditioning of behavioral, but not of endocrine, indicators was effective in susceptible subjects using a rotating chair as US and a single CS-US pairing.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vestibularly evoked potentials (VESTEPs) of the horizontal semicircular canals under different body positions in space.

We recorded vestibularly evoked potentials (VESTEPs) using natural vestibular stimuli simulating the form of a normal head movement ("raised cosine"). Its smooth course was designed to minimize all possible sources of artifacts of mechanical, electrical, and physiological origin. This motion profile was applied to subjects (Ss) sitting upright, thus stimulating the horizontal semicircular canals alone, as well as when they were tilted in different positions in steps of 30 degrees about the interaural y-axis, which had the effect of modulating the otolithic contribution to the horizontal VESTEP. The transient bell-shaped VESTEP recorded in the upright sitting S was more and more superimposed or replaced by a sustained negativity the more the S was tilted toward a horizontal position. Thus, the VESTEP gradually changes from a velocity response in the upright S (canals only) to a position response in the lying S (canals plus otoliths). Differences in the VESTEPs obtained for clockwise (cw) and counterclockwise (ccw) turns in the tilted S were found. The reason for this is not clear at present and requires further experimentation. However, the VESTEPs obtained under conditions involving backward tilts and cw turns corresponded to those obtained with forward tilts and ccw turns. A similar relationship was found for the VESTEPs obtained with backward tilts and ccw turns and those obtained with forward tilts and cw turns. The physiological basis of this is discussed.

Adolescent↗