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Developing a novel model of simulated microgravity environment through investigation of vestibular system(Fostering Joint International Research)

Research Project

Project/Area Number 16KK0179
Research Category

Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Research Field Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
Research InstitutionKyoto University

Principal Investigator

Tajino Junichi  京都大学, 医学研究科, 研究員 (00755697)

Project Period (FY) 2017 – 2019
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2019)
Budget Amount *help
¥12,480,000 (Direct Cost: ¥9,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥2,880,000)
Keywords微小重力 / ラット / 歩行 / 三半規管・耳石器官 / 前庭器官 / 宇宙インフラ / リハビリテーション
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.

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。

Report

(2 results)
  • 2019 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • Research Products

    (6 results)

All 2020 2019 2018

All Int'l Joint Research (2 results) Journal Article (3 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 1 results,  Peer Reviewed: 3 results,  Open Access: 3 results) Presentation (1 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 1 results)

  • [Int'l Joint Research] アイオワ大学(米国)2018

    • Year and Date
      2018-01-06
    • Related Report
      2019 Annual Research Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] オハイオ州立大学(米国)2018

    • Related Report
      2019 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] Taking the Next Steps in Regenerative Rehabilitation: Establishment of a New Interdisciplinary Field2020

    • Author(s)
      Willett NJ, Aoyama T, Ito A, Kuroki H, Tajino J, Ambrosio F, et al.
    • Journal Title

      Arch Phys Med Rehabil

      Volume: 101 Issue: 5 Pages: 917-923

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.apmr.2020.01.007

    • Related Report
      2019 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] 3D Kinematic Analysis for the Functional Evaluation in the Rat Model of Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury2020

    • Author(s)
      Wang T, Ito A, Tajino J, Kuroki H, Aoyama T
    • Journal Title

      J. Vis. Exp

      Volume: 156 Issue: 156

    • DOI

      10.3791/60267

    • NAID

      120006870866

    • Related Report
      2019 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Lower-body positive pressure diminishes surface blood flow reactivity during treadmill walking2019

    • Author(s)
      Tajino J, Ito A, Torii Y, Tsuchimoto K, Iijima H, Zhang X, Tanima M, Yamaguchi S, Ieki H, Kakinoki R, Kuroki H
    • Journal Title

      BMC Res Notes

      Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Pages: 733-733

    • DOI

      10.1186/s13104-019-4766-2

    • Related Report
      2019 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Presentation] Artificial gravity with centrifuge and optimal dose of the intervention to counteract gait alteration in rats exposed to simulated microgravity2019

    • Author(s)
      Junichi Tajino
    • Organizer
      70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC2019)
    • Related Report
      2019 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research

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Published: 2017-03-15   Modified: 2021-02-19  

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