Impact of Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic and Electric Stimuli on Vestibular-Driven Outcomes

The vestibular system is extremely sensitive to electric fields (E-fields). Indeed, vestibular hair cells are graded potential cells and this property makes them very susceptible to small membrane potential modulations. Studies show that extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) induced E-fields impact postural control in which the vestibular system plays an important role. However, the knowledge of whether this is indeed a vestibular specific effect is still pending. Considering its crucial role and the specific neurophysiological characteristics of its hair cells, the vestibular system emerges as an ELF-MF likely target The three studies presented in this thesis aimed to further address whether ELF-MF modulate vestibular-driven outcomes. Studies 1 and 2 aimed to investigate postural responses while more specifically targeting the vestibular system. However, we did not find any modulation in either study. Nonetheless, based on both studies, study 3 aimed to determine whether the orientation and frequency of our stimulations were more likely to target the otoliths. Therefore, the third study looked at the subjective visual vertical. Here, we found a potential ELF-MF utricular modulation. This thesis is the first steppingstone in a new field of research. Further investigations regarding the interaction between the ELF-MF and the vestibular system will have to look at more reflexives vestibular outcomes. Nonetheless, this thesis provides valuable information that will need to be taken into consideration when writing future international guidelines and standards related to ELF-MF.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph D

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Bouisset, Nicolas

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Legros, Alexandre

• Electromagnetic induction
• Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields (ELF-MFs)
• human vestibular system
• Electric vestibular stimulations
• postural control
• subjective visual vertical.

Language dc:language.iso

en_ca

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/30773

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/30773