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Abstract

Neuroscience

Measuring the Influence of Magnetic Vestibular Stimulation on Nystagmus, Self-Motion Perception, and Cognitive Performance in a 7T MRT

Published: March 3rd, 2023

DOI:

10.3791/64022

1Department of Psychology, University of Bern, 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, lnselspital, University Hospital Bern and University of Bern, 3Hearing Research Laboratory, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, 4Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of California, 5University Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 6Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine

Abstract

Strong magnetic fields induce dizziness, vertigo, and nystagmus due to Lorentz forces acting on the cupula in the semi-circular canals, an effect called magnetic vestibular stimulation (MVS). In this article, we present an experimental setup in a 7T MRT scanner (MRI scanner) that allows the investigation of the influence of strong magnetic fields on nystagmus as well as perceptual and cognitive responses. The strength of MVS is manipulated by altering the head positions of the participants. The orientation of the participants' semicircular canals with respect to the static magnetic field is assessed by combining a 3D magnetometer and 3D constructive interference in steady-state (3D-CISS) images. This approach allows to account for intra- and inter-individual differences in participants’ responses to MVS. In the future, MVS can be useful for clinical research, for example, in the investigation of compensatory processes in vestibular disorders. Furthermore, it could foster insights into the interplay between vestibular information and cognitive processes in terms of spatial cognition and the emergence of self-motion percepts under conflicting sensory information. In fMRI studies, MVS can elicit a possible confounding effect, especially in tasks influenced by vestibular information or in studies comparing vestibular patients with healthy controls.

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Keywords Magnetic Vestibular Stimulation

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