T0058-P Assessing Otolith-Organ Function with Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs) in Parabolic Flight

As exposure to novel gravitational environments elicits alterations in sensorimotor responses (e.g., changes in coordinated head-and-eye movements, variations in spatial perception and memory), this experiment plans to develop portable equipment and procedures to evaluate otolith function using vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). VEMPs are small, reflexive responses in the neck or eye muscles following otolith stimulation induced by auditory clicks and forehead taps. VEMP testing performed onboard ISS is planned in long run to track changes in otolith processing over the course of a mission.