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Handbook of clinical neurology
2018;159 43-59.

Gravity estimation and verticality perception.

Christopher J Dakin, Ari Rosenberg
Author Information
  1. Christopher J Dakin: Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States. Electronic address: chris.dakin@usu.edu.
  2. Ari Rosenberg: Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
PMID: 30482332 DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63916-5.00003-3

Abstract

Gravity is a defining force that governs the evolution of mechanical forms, shapes and anchors our perception of the environment, and imposes fundamental constraints on our interactions with the world. Within the animal kingdom, humans are relatively unique in having evolved a vertical, bipedal posture. Although a vertical posture confers numerous benefits, it also renders us less stable than quadrupeds, increasing susceptibility to falls. The ability to accurately and precisely estimate our orientation relative to gravity is therefore of utmost importance. Here we review sensory information and computational processes underlying gravity estimation and verticality perception. Central to gravity estimation and verticality perception is multisensory cue combination, which serves to improve the precision of perception and resolve ambiguities in sensory representations by combining information from across the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. We additionally review experimental paradigms for evaluating verticality perception, and discuss how particular disorders affect the perception of upright. Together, the work reviewed here highlights the critical role of multisensory cue combination in gravity estimation, verticality perception, and creating stable gravity-centered representations of our environment.

Keywords

cue disambiguation cue integration gravity multisensory reference frames upright verticality

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Grants

  1. R03 DC014305/NIDCD NIH HHS

MeSH Term

Cues
Gravitation
Gravity Sensing
Humans
Orientation
Posture
Proprioception
Journal Article Review

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