Objective The vestibular system (VS), and more specifically its otolithic part (specialized in detecting gravity and inertial linear acceleration), has long been recognized for its role in spatial orientation and postural equilibrium. Its involvement in the regulation of other physiological systems (respiratory and cardiovascular systems, circadian regulation, food intake, bone mineralization) has been made clear only recently. Besides an increase in basic scientific knowledge, studying the biological impact of VS is also crucial for space exploration because it could participate in some harmful effects of prolonged exposure to weightlessness - such as cardiovascular and sensory-motor deconditioning, bone loss, and hormonal changes. VS dysfunction could also be implicated in common pathological conditions such as orthostatic hypotension, sleep disruption, bone loss…Studying the biological effects of the otolith system can be performed by removing it or, more physiologically, by changing the level of gravity. Hypergravity can be produced by centrifuges while reduced gravity can only be obtained during parabolic or space flights. There are few ground alternatives, such as head-down bed rest and dry immersion, for studying some aspects of the effect of weightlessness on physiological systems. These facilities are scattered throughout Europe, Russia and the USA and no single scientific team has the expertise in all the main scientific fields relevant to gravitational physiology: neurosciences, musculo-skeletal physiology, endocrinology, chronobiology, and cardiovascular physiology. Thus, ambitious scientific research on the implication of VS in gravitational physiology is not conceivable without international cooperation. The aim of this proposal is to establish long-term research cooperation on VS and gravitational physiology at an international level, involving the main research facilities in Europe, Russia and the USA, and to create new research opportunities in this area. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyspace explorationmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IRSES - Marie Curie Action "International Research Staff Exchange Scheme" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IRSES See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IRSES - International research staff exchange scheme (IRSES) Coordinator UNIVERSITE DE CAEN NORMANDIE EU contribution € 112 800,00 Address ESPLANADE DE LA PAIX 14032 Caen Cedex 5 France See on map Region Normandie Basse-Normandie Calvados Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Isabelle Jamme (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CHARITE - UNIVERSITAETSMEDIZIN BERLIN Germany EU contribution € 40 100,00 Address Chariteplatz 1 10117 Berlin See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Eveline Fräßdorf (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITE DE TOURS France EU contribution € 7 600,00 Address RUE DU PLAT D ETAIN 60 37020 Tours See on map Region Centre — Val de Loire Centre — Val de Loire Indre-et-Loire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Aurélie Uchard (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
