Vestibulo-spatial navigation: pathways and sense of direction
Athena Zachou, Adolfo M. Bronstein
Abstract
Our subjective sense-of-direction is influenced by how good we are at spatial navigation using vestibular cues. Global positioning systems (GPS) may inhibit sense of direction. Increased use of GPS by the young may explain why the elderly's sense of direction is not worse than the young's. Patients with vestibulo-cerebellar dysfunction (downbeat nystagmus syndrome) display normal vestibular navigation, suggesting that ascending vestibulo-cerebellar-cortical pathways carry velocity rather than position signals. Pilot data indicate that dementia disrupts vestibular navigation.
Topics & Concepts
Vestibular systemAudiologyPath integrationPsychologySpatial memoryNeurosciencePhysical medicine and rehabilitationMedicineCognitionWorking memoryVestibular and auditory disordersSpatial Cognition and NavigationVisual perception and processing mechanisms