A singular theory of sensorimotor coordination: On targeted motions in space.

Gravity has long been purported to serve a unique role in sensorimotor coordination, but the specific mechanisms underlying gravity-based visuomotor realignment remain elusive. In this study, astronauts (9 males, 2 females) performed targeted hand movements with eyes open or closed, both on the ground and in weightlessness. Measurements revealed systematic drift in hand-path orientation seen only when eyes were closed and only in very specific conditions with respect to gravity.

Modality-Independent Effect of Gravity in Shaping the Internal Representation of 3D Space for Visual and Haptic Object Perception.

Visual and haptic perceptions of 3D shape are plagued by distortions, which are influenced by nonvisual factors, such as gravitational vestibular signals. Whether gravity acts directly on the visual or haptic systems or at a higher, modality-independent level of information processing remains unknown. To test these hypotheses, we examined visual and haptic 3D shape perception by asking male and female human subjects to perform a "squaring" task in upright and supine postures and in microgravity.

Extended time frame for restoring inner ear function through gene therapy in Usher1G preclinical model.

Neonatal gene therapy has been shown to prevent inner ear dysfunction in mouse models of Usher syndrome type I (USH1), the most common genetic cause of combined deafness-blindness and vestibular dysfunction. However, hearing onset occurs after birth in mice and in utero in humans, making it questionable how to transpose murine gene therapy outcomes to clinical settings. Here, we sought to extend the therapeutic time window in a mouse model for USH1G to periods corresponding to human neonatal stages, more suitable for intervention in patients.

Multisensory gaze stabilization in response to subchronic alteration of vestibular type I hair cells.

The functional complementarity of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and optokinetic reflex (OKR) allows for optimal combined gaze stabilization responses (CGR) in light. While sensory substitution has been reported following complete vestibular loss, the capacity of the central vestibular system to compensate for partial peripheral vestibular loss remains to be determined. Here, we first demonstrate the efficacy of a 6-week subchronic ototoxic protocol in inducing transient and partial vestibular loss which equally affects the canal- and otolith-dependent VORs.

The impact of alphabetic literacy on the perception of speech sounds.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of literacy on phoneme perception. It built on previous research by using more controlled stimuli than in former studies and by independently examining the impacts of literacy and age on phoneme perception. Participants were adult and children beginning readers, and skilled adult readers.