The purpose of this study was to analysis of the effect of proprioceptor training and vestibular organ training for balance ability. The subjects was consist of two different subjects group, proprioceptor training group and vestibular organ training group. Proprioceptor training group consisted of 10 subjects and vestibular organ training group consisted of 10 subjects. Training was performed 3 times per week, 30 minutes per day, for 3 weeks. Balance ability analysis was performed using Romberg's one leg standing test and BT4 when opened eyes and closed eyes. The analysis results were as follows. There was no significant differences in balance after the training in both groups when they opened their eyes(p<.05). But there was significant differences in balance after the training in both groups when they closed their eyes(p<.05). And there was no significant difference in balance after the training between the proprioceptor training group and the vestibular organ training group when they closed their eyes(p<.05). Given the above results, proprioceptor training and vestibular organ training enhanced balance but there was no significant difference between the two methods.

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation on improving the ability to balance posture and proprioception. Thirty healthy adults participated and were randomly assigned to a horse riding simulator group (=10), galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) group (=10), control group (=10). Experiment groups were trained 3 times per week over 6 weeks. The ability to balance posture was measured by force plate and proprioception was measured by Joint position sense. The following results were obtained. the changes of balance index were significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time in 0, 3 and 6 weeks (p<.05). All groups showed the most decreasing pattern compared with the control group. But was not statistically significant. Proprioception was significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time (p<.05). All groups showed the most decreasing pattern compared with the control group. The above results indicated that the 6 weeks horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation training demonstrated positive effects in the ability to balance posture and proprioception. These results suggest that the horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation training could be therapeutic intervention that can improve balance and postural control.

Using whole cell current- and voltage-clamp recording we investigated the characteristics and pharmacology of group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-mediated responses in rat medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons. In current clamp conditions, activation of mGluR I by application of the group I mGluR agonist (R,S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) induced a direct excitation of MVN neurons that is characterized by depolarization and increased spontaneous firing frequency. To identify which of mGluR subtypes are responsible for the various actions of DHPG in MVN, we used two subtype-selective antagonists. (S)-(+)- alpha-amino-a-methylbenzeneacetic acid (LY367385) is a potent competitive antagonist that is selective for mGluR1, whereas 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) is a potent noncompetitive antagonist that is selective for mGluR5. In voltage clamp conditions, DHPG application increased the frequency of spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) but had no effect on amplitude distributions. Antagonism of the DHPG-induced increase of miniature IPSCs required the blockade of both mGluR1 and mGluR5. DHPG application induced an inward current, which can be enhanced under depolarized conditions. DHPG-induced current was blocked by LY367385, but not by MPEP. Both LY367385 and MPEP antagonized the DHPG-induced suppression of the calcium activated potassium current (IAHP). These data suggest that mGluR1 and mGluR5 have similar roles in the regulation of the excitability of MVN neurons, and show a little distinct. Furthermore, mGluR I, via pre- and postsynaptic actions, have the potential to modulate the functions of the MVN.

Medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons are involved in the reflex control of the head and eyes, and in the recovery of vestibular function after the formation of peripheral vestibular lesions. In our present study, whole cell patch clamp recordings were carried out on MVN neurons in brainstem slices from neonatal rats to investigate the actions of a group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist upon synaptic transmission and ionic currents. Application of the mGluR I agonist (S)-3,5- dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) increased the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) but had no effect upon amplitude distributions. To then identify which of mGluR subtypes is responsible for the actions of DHPG in the MVN, we employed two novel subtype selective antagonists. (S)-(+)--amino-a-methylbenzeneacetic acid (LY367385) is a potent competitive antagonist that is selective for mGluR1, whereas 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) is a potent noncompetitive antagonist of mGluR5. Both LY367385 and MPEP antagonized the DHPG-induced increase of mIPSCs, with the former being more potent. DHPG was also found to induce an inward current, which can be enhanced under depolarized conditions. This DHPG-induced current was reduced by both LY367385 and MPEP. The DHPG-induced inward current was also suppressed by the PLC blocker U-73122, the IP₃ receptor antagonist 2-APB, and following the depletion of the intracellular Cα2+ pool by thapsigargin. These data suggest that the DHPG-induced inward current may be mainly regulated by the intracellular Cα2+ store via the PLC-IP3 pathway. In conclusion, mGluR I, via pre- and postsynaptic actions, may modulate the excitability of the MVN neurons.

전정기관은 자세의 조절에 관여하지만, 전정기관의 손상은 현기증 및 자세부조화를 초래한다. 본 연구에서는 현기증의 원인을 규명할 목적으로 전정기능을 평가할 수 있는 정현파 회전자극시스템을 개발하고자 하였다. 정현파 회전자극시스템은 회전의자와 구동 및 분석프로그램으로 구성하였으며, DC 서보모터로 구동되는 회전의자는 0.01-0.64 Hz의 주파수범위에서 60 ˚/sec의 초고속도로 정현파 회전한다. 현기증 환자에서 전정기능을 평가하기 위하여 전정안구반사, 시운동성 전정안구반사 및 시각의 억제에 의한 전정안구반사를 측정하여 안구운동의 이득, 위상, 대칭성 등을 산출하도록 정현파 회전자극시스템을 개발하였으며, 정상 성인에서 시험한 결과 신뢰성있는 성적을 얻었다. 따라서 본 시스템은 현기증 환자의 진단 및 치료정도를 판정할 수 있으르로 임상적으로 널리 사용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.