Vestibular and Multisensory Influence on Bodily and Spatial Representations

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Vestibular Disorders
• Interventions: Other: electromyography; Other: electroencephalography; Other: approaches from psychophysics

• Registration Number: NCT02072460
• Lead Sponsor: Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille

Brief Summary

The present project aims at describing how vestibular signals contribute to the multisensory mechanisms of bodily self-consciousness.

There is a large body of data regarding the sensory and neural mechanisms of self-consciousness, but most studies have so far demonstrated the contribution of visual, tactile and proprioceptive signals to bodily self-consciousness. Thus, most studies have neglected the contribution of the vestibular system, a major sensory system for spatial and bodily representations. The vestibular system is sensitive to head motions in space and head inclinations with respect to gravity and it should therefore contribute significantly to several bodily experiences. This contribution should be put under neuroscientific scrutiny. We believe that the current neuroscientific models of bodily self-consciousness will be incomplete until they incorporate the contribution of vestibular signals.

The present project specifically aims at testing the hypothesis according to which vestibular signals significantly influence bodily self-consciousness, in particular first-person and third-person perspective taking and the internal body models (i.e. the body schema and body image). The present project also aims at describing how cortical vestibular processing is modified during experimental changes of perspective taking and viewpoint. In addition, the present project will describe whether vestibular disorders change performances in third-person perspective taking tasks and modify internal body models. This should help understanding bodily symptoms in vestibular-defective patients. To this end, we will combine approaches from psychophysics and electrophysiology (electromyography, electroencephalography) in healthy volunteers and behavioral approached in patients with vestibular disorders.

These studies should further the understanding of how the brain processes vestibular signals, which is to date poorly understood. In addition, the outcome of the present project should help understanding the multiple and complex symptoms reported by patients with vestibular diseases, and should therefore improve their treatment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2013-11-14
• Status Verified: 2014-02
• Study Start: 2014-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-02-24
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-02-24
• Study First Posted: 2014-02-26
• Last Update Posted: 2014-02-26
• Primary Completion: 2017-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient with chirurgical treatment for Meuniere disease or accoustic neurinoma or with acute vestibular deficiency.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patient with neurological history
• Patient with a lack of motricity

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
vestibular signals determination	electromyography	vestibular signals determination by electromyography and electroencephalography associated to approaches from psychophysics
vestibular signals determination	electroencephalography	vestibular signals determination by electromyography and electroencephalography associated to approaches from psychophysics
vestibular signals determination	approaches from psychophysics	vestibular signals determination by electromyography and electroencephalography associated to approaches from psychophysics

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
vestibular signals	48 months	testing the hypothesis according to which vestibular signals significantly influence bodily self-consciousness, in particular first-person and third-person perspective taking and the internal body models (i.e. the body schema and body image).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille; 🇫🇷 Marseille, France