title: An MRI-compatible caloric stimulation device for the investigation of human vestibular cortex.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-motion perception involves the integration of vestibular, visual, somatosensory and other sensory cues. The neural responses to caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) in humans have been investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed an fMRI-compatible, bithermal caloric stimulation device for repeated CVS. Tempered water is pumped via a closed-loop tube-system to one or both ear canals. Water temperature transmits to the surface of the ear canal via a small glass-pod. For our purposes we used hot (47-49°C), cold (5-7.5°C), or warm for baseline (30-32.5°C). The pods are integrated in the MRI ear protection and connected to water influx and efflux tubes. With our device we can apply multiple vestibular stimulation and baseline trials consecutively. Control measurements indicate that the applied temperatures are stable across trials. MRI-signal differences due to water flow and water temperature are restricted to the area surrounding the pod and are unlikely to intrude into brain tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vestibular stimulation with our device elicits caloric nystagmus when no central fixation is presented. We validated our system by conducting a CVS experiment during fMRI-scanning. Participants indicated the presence or absence of a self-motion sensation. Periods of self motion yielded activation in the cortical vestibular network including putative human parieto-insular vestibular cortex (PIVC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Our closed-loop device eliminates many problems associated with caloric stimulation during fMRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our device allows researchers to explore neural responses to CVS and those evoked by combined sensory stimulation.
authors: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA; Institute for Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Germany.
authors: Sebastian M
authors: SM
authors: Frank
authors: Institute for Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: mark.greenlee@psychologie.uni-regensburg.de.
authors: Mark W
authors: MW
authors: Greenlee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D053483:Eye Movement Measurements; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: Caloric nystagmus; Caloric vestibular stimulation; Self-motion perception; Vestibular cortex; fMRI