By: Dr. Richard Arnold, Director of Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, NAMRU-Dayton
The effects of vestibular phenomena on operator health, readiness, and performance are numerous. From traumatic brain injury-related balance dysfunction to motion-sickness to pilot spatial orientation, the relevance of the vestibular system to key operational problems is significant. After several years of re-building under the Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory’s (NAMRL) vestibular research program is poised to regain its historical position as a world leader.
NAMRL, originally located on Naval Air Station Pensacola, enjoyed a long and distinguished position at the forefront of vestibular research for many years. Such figures as Capt. Ashton Graybiel and Dr. Fred Guedry established the lab as a leader in the field throughout the latter half of the 20th century. However, a substantial loss of scientific staff associated with the lab’s 2010 move to WPAFB led to a much reduced vestibular research capability. Now, new facilities and the re-establishment of a core of expert researchers are the catalysts for this resurgence.
Today, the lab features several important research devices at the Dayton facility. The Visual-Vestibular Sphere Device (VVSD) contains a rotating chair surrounded by a rotating enclosed sphere designed for conducting basic research on vestibular and visual interactions. The Vertical Linear Accelerator affords up to 20 feet of vertical motion, while the Neuro-Otologic Test Center provides a precisely programmable rotating chair in a light-tight chamber. Most significantly, the lab received the long-awaited Disorientation Research Device, or the KrakenTM in October 2016. The KrakenTM is a six axis-of-motion research device that will support a range of basic and applied research on vestibular and acceleration effects. Data collection began on the first research project to use the KrakenTM, June 2018, as part of a joint effort with NASA Langley Research Center to investigate and mitigate pilot spatial disorientation in commercial aviation.
Even more important than facilities to the resurgence of vestibular research is the re-establishment of a core of expert researchers. A series of motion sickness studies now led by Lt. Cmdr. Matt Doubrava, identified an intranasal formulation of scopolamine as a promising countermeasure. Lt. Adam Biggs, research psychologist, established a new capability studying the effects of virtual reality and augmented reality displays on motion or cyber sickness.
We recently welcomed a world-leading vestibular researcher to our ranks, Dr. Dan Merfeld, formerly of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute at Harvard Medical School and jointly recruited by NAMRU-Dayton and The Ohio State University (OSU) now serves as NAMRU-Dayton’s senior vestibular scientist through an Intergovernmental Personnel Act appointment from the OSU Department of Otolaryngology at the OSU School of Medicine.
Dr. Merfeld is working alongside our researchers, including Dr. Henry Williams, supervisory research psychologist and Capt. Richard Folga, aerospace physiologist, to develop vestibular models of pilot spatial orientation. Dr. Merfeld is expanding the reach of the lab, helping to recruit several visiting scientists and establish research collaborations with leading vestibular researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Brandeis University, and the University of Colorado. Further, Dr. Merfeld is taking on the principal role in a joint initiative NAMRU-Dayton is pursuing with OSU to formally recognize and promote central and southwest Ohio as a national-level center for vestibular research through the capabilities of OSU, NAMRU-Dayton, and other institutions, such as the U.S. Air Force 711th Human Performance Wing at WPAFB.
NAMRU-Dayton and OSU are developing a framework to address clinical issues such as balance dysfunction and dizziness, and operational issues such as motion sickness and pilot spatial disorientation. In support of this initiative NAMRU-Dayton and OSU are organizing a vestibular oriented research conference to be held in Dayton, Ohio, spring 2019.
The Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory is equipped with capabilities in acceleration and sensory science, biomedical, and engineering and technical services, all of which are supported by a unique collection of state-of-the-science research devices. Our unique research portfolio enables researchers to transition validated knowledge and effective technologies to the fleet, mitigating and preventing leading factors associated with aeromedical mishaps.
For more information visit us at www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmrc/Dayton and follow us on Facebook @NavalMedicalResearchUnitDayton and Twitter @NAMRUDayton.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.31.2018 20:42 |
| Story ID: | 286666 |
| Location: | WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 519 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Vestibular research expands at NAMRU-Dayton, by Megan Mudersbach, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
