2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Developing a novel model of simulated microgravity environment through investigation of vestibular system(Fostering Joint International Research)
| Project/Area Number |
16KK0179
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| Research Category |
Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Research Field |
Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2017 – 2019
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| Keywords | 微小重力 / ラット / 歩行 / 三半規管・耳石器官 |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
The purpose of this study was to figure out quantitative evaluation of functional motion and behavior deficits evoked through sedentarism. We utilized simulated microgravity environment for rats by using tail suspension model and artificial hyper gravity intervention with animal-sized centrifuge to counteract the deficits caused by the microgravity environment.
Rats that were exposed to microgravity significantly extended their knee and ankle joints during their walking, which is called "toe gait". On the other hand, hyper-gravity intervention (1.5 times of normal gravity for 80 minutes per day) significantly prevented these motion alterations. Also, their spatial learning ability also declined through microgravity environment, which was prevented with hyper-gravity intervention.
In addition to this, we found that the vestibular system, which detects gravity and accelerations might be able to be re-trained through adaptation. This approach could be useful as Vestibular Rehabilitation.
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| Free Research Field |
リハビリテーション科学
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| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
本研究の目的はリハビリテーションの重要な課題のひとつである不動・不使用に対する対応策を疑似微小重力環境・遠心人工重力を用いて検証し、他分野への応用の足掛かりとすることでした。
ラットを疑似的な微小重力環境に置くと、伸びあがり歩行という歩行動作の変化が生じますが、遠心人工重力発生装置を用いた高重力介入によって、これを抑制することができました。探索行動・学習能力の評価においても、同様の効果を得ました。
また本研究を進める過程で、従来は困難と考えられていた三半規管・耳石器官の適応が一定の条件では可能かもしれないという知見を得ました。この成果は将来の平衡機能リハビリテーションへの応用が期待されます。
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