Plastic alteration of vestibulo-cardiovascular reflex and its countermeasure

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24590298
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Environmental physiology (including Physical medicine and Nutritional physiology)
• Research Institution: Gifu University
• Principal Investigator: MORITA Hironobu 岐阜大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (80145044)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ABE Chikara 岐阜大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 准教授 (10585235) ; TANAKA Kunihiko 岐阜医療科学大学, 教授 (60313871)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 微小重力 / 過重力 / 前庭－血圧反射 / 起立性低血圧 / 宇宙飛行士

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Vestibulo-cardiovascular reflex (V-C reflex) has a significant role in controlling arterial pressure upon standing. However, the vestibular system is known to be highly plastic, thus it is possible that sensitivity of V-C reflex is suppressed if subjects are under a different gravitational environment, microgravity. This might be a responsible mechanism for post-flight orthostatic hypotension. To examine this, sensitivity of V-C reflex was examined before and after 4 to 6 months stay in the International Space Station. V-C reflex was impaired 1 day to 2 weeks after landing, and arterial pressure dropped upon standing. The impaired vestibular function can be ameliorated by subsensory weak galvanic vestibular stimulation.

Free Research Field

環境生理学