Plastic alteration of the vestibular system-induced autonomic deconditioning

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07283
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48020:Physiology-related
• Research Institution: Gifu University
• Principal Investigator: Abe Chikara 岐阜大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 准教授 (10585235)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 前庭系 / 可塑性 / 交感神経

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Equilibrium dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension due to functional deterioration of the vestibular system (otolith and semicircular canals) have become problems in the elderly and astronauts who returned from the space. It is suggested that this phenomena involve vestibular plasticity, however the effective preventive and rehabilitation methods for disorders and symptoms have not been established since the mechanism of plasticity is unknown. In the present study, we clarified the vestibular plasticity-induced decrease in physiological function involves changes in response of glutamatergic neurons in the vestibular nuclei. We also developed the electrical devise for the peripheral vestibular organs which presumably works as prevention of the vestibular plasticity.

Free Research Field

生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

宇宙空間では，筋・骨萎縮，心循環系の調節力低下，前庭機能低下などが起こることから，前庭系可塑のメカニズムを解明することで，高齢者に起こる様々な疾患の治療法を見つけることができる可能性がある。最近では，前庭系の可塑が平衡感覚機能不全や心循環器系の調節低下だけではなく，筋・骨代謝の低下や免疫不全にも関与していることが明らかになり始めてきた。このことから，前庭系の可塑メカニズム解明は多くの疾患の理解につながる可能性がある。さらに，前庭系電気刺激法で可塑の制御法を確立することができれば，宇宙飛行士だけではなく高齢者にみられる疾患や機能不全の治療にもつながることが期待される。