Subsensory galvanic vestibular stimulation augments arterial pressure control upon head-up tilt in human subjects

Subsensory galvanic vestibular stimulation augments arterial pressure control upon head-up tilt in human subjects

Kunihiko Tanakaa, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author,
Chikara Abea, Yuzuru Sakaidab, Mitsuhiro Aokib, Chihiro Iwataa, Hironobu Moritaa

a Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
b Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan

Available online 16 November 2011.

Abstract

The vestibular system plays an important role in control of arterial pressure (AP) upon head-up tilt (HUT).

To examine this role in human subjects, we previously compared changes in AP with and without high-amplitude galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), which is considered to obscure vestibular input.


In contrast, regarding sensory function in skin and muscle, it has been documented that low-amplitude electrical stimulation improves both sensitivity and response.

In the present study, we examined whether GVS of smaller amplitude improves AP control upon HUT.

GVS was applied:

at the amplitude of the somatosensory threshold (0.3–0.8 mA),
0.1 mA over the threshold, and
0.1 and 0.2 mA below the threshold during HUT.


AP decreased at the onset of HUT compared with that in the supine position in 15 of 25 subjects without GVS (− 12 ± 2 mm Hg), but applying GVS at 0.1 mA below the somatosensory threshold diminished the decrease (0.3 ± 0.7 mm Hg).

The APs of another 10 subjects were maintained or decreased by less than 5 mm Hg without GVS at the onset of HUT (4 ± 2 mm Hg), but applying GVS at the amplitude of 0.1 mA below the somatosensory threshold further increased the AP (12 ± 2 mm Hg).

GVS at the other amplitudes did not result in AP changes in either group.

Thus, subsensory weak GVS enhances AP control at the onset of HUT.

Keywords: Vestibulocardiovascular reflex; Stochastic resonance; Subjective visual ertical; Caloric test


Corresponding Author Contact Information
Corresponding author at:
Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine,
Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194,
Japan.
Tel.: + 81 58 230 6300; fax: + 81 58 230 6302.

Fuente: Autonomic Neuroscience
Volume 166, Issues 1-2, 26 January 2012, Pages 66-71