Abstract
Little is known of the functionality of the vestibulocollic reflex (VCR) and cervico-collic reflex (CCR) during head and neck movements caused by perturbations of the trunk. Previously we formulated mathematical expressions for these neck reflexes and incorporated them into a model of horizontal plane head movements. The formalism of this neuromechanical model allowed us to examine separately the main components of head movement control. In the present study we examine selected parameters within the main components of the model and associate variations of these parameters with disease processes affecting head and neck movements such as loss of sensory input or modification in central or motor function. Our simulations led us to several conclusions. First the probable use of the VCR and CCR in yaw plane head movements is to tune the head response. In the time domain they diminish natural head oscillations (head wobble) related to head mechanics. Equivalently in the frequency domain they reduce the amplitude of head wobble (resonances) around 2 Hz. Second our simulations suggest that the VCR is about ten times stronger than the CCR in normal humans. Moreover this disproportion is associated with only very minor contributions from the CCR in yaw. Third head oscillations (or instability) can be generated by mechanical or neural changes in the head and neck system. Finally readjustments of central nervous system dynamic operations could provide mechanisms to compensate for sensory and motor dysfunction caused by disease.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1269-1280 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1999 |
Funding
Manuscript received March 23, 1999; revised May 6, 1999. This paper was supported by the National Institutes of Health under NIH/NINDS Grant NS22490 and NIH/NIDCD Grants DC02072 and DC00979. Asterisk indicates corresponding author. *G. C. Y. Peng is with the Johns Hopkins University, Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA (e-mail: [email protected]). T. C. Hain and B. W. Peterson are with Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611 USA. Publisher Item Identifier S 0018-9294(99)07635-1.
Keywords
- Head
- Model
- Neck
- Reflex
- Vestibular
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biomedical Engineering