Symmetries of the Central Vestibular System: Forming Movements for Gravity and a Three-Dimensional World

Intrinsic dynamics of the central vestibular system (CVS) appear to be at least partly determined by the symmetries of its connections. The CVS contributes to whole-body functions such as upright balance and maintenance of gaze direction. These functions coordinate disparate senses (visual, inertial...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gin McCollum, Douglas A. Hanes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2010-07-01
Series:Symmetry
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/2/3/1544/
Description
Summary:Intrinsic dynamics of the central vestibular system (CVS) appear to be at least partly determined by the symmetries of its connections. The CVS contributes to whole-body functions such as upright balance and maintenance of gaze direction. These functions coordinate disparate senses (visual, inertial, somatosensory, auditory) and body movements (leg, trunk, head/neck, eye). They are also unified by geometric conditions. Symmetry groups have been found to structure experimentally-recorded pathways of the central vestibular system. When related to geometric conditions in three-dimensional physical space, these symmetry groups make sense as a logical foundation for sensorimotor coordination.
ISSN:2073-8994