Research

Research in the Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Laboratory spans the full spectrum of topics covering the effects varying force environments have on the neural control of movement, posture, and perceived orientation of the human body. Experimental program is designed to further our understanding of normal behavior on earth as well as in unusual force environments. Typical force environments we are concerned with include zero gravity, microgravity, 1 G, greater than 1 G gravity, and virtual motion environments. Studying these environments both elucidates basic mechanisms of movement and orientation on Earth and helps to solve practical problems in aeronautics and astronautics, and in clinical populations.

Below are highlights from some representative research projects conducted at the Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Laboratory.

• Motor Adaptation to Coriolis Force Perturbations of Reaching Movements: Endpoint but not Trajectory Adaptation Transfers to the Non-exposed Arm.
  Paul DiZio and James R. Lackner
  Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol. 74, No 4: 1787-1792, October 1995.
  
  
• Rapid Adaptation to Coriolis Force Perturbation of Arm Trajectory.
  James R. Lackner and Paul DiZio
  Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol 72, No. 1: 299-313, July 1994.
  
  
• The Role of Brachial Muscle Spindle Signals in Assignment of Visual Direction.
  Paul DiZio, Corinna E. Lathan and James R. Lackner
  Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol. 70, No.4: 1578-1584, October 1993.
  
  
• Visual stimulation affects the perception of voluntary leg movement during walking.
  James R. Lackner and Paul DiZio
  Perception, 17, 71-80, 1988.
  
  
• Fingertip contact influences human postural control.
  John J. Jeka, James R. Lackner
  Experimental Brain Research, 100(3): 495-502, 1994
  
  
• Gravitational Effects on Nystagmus and on Perception of Orientation.
  James R. Lackner and Paul DiZio
  Representation of Three Dimensional Space in the Vestibular, Oculomotor, and Visual Systems. NY Acad Sci, Vol.545, pp 93-104, 1989.