YSG-6
Group leader: Nadine Lehnen MD MPhil (Cantab)
Address: Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
Phone: + 49 (0) 89 7095 7824
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 7095 4801
E-mail: Nadine.Lehnen[at]med.uni-muenchen.de
Main topic
Eye-head control and vestibular function: principles, diagnosis, and treatment
I.) Mathematical modeling
We are interested in the principles that govern movement choice. We pose the question why – through evolution or learning – stereotyped eye-head movement characteristics are selected over an infinite number of other possibilities. Using optimal control theory, we recently showed that gaze shift characteristics are chosen to minimize the effect of uncertainty, i.e., noise affecting motor performance.
|
||||
II.) Functional anatomy
We study the role of brain structures involved in eye-head motor control. In particular, we are interested in the interaction between preprogrammed feedforward control and sensory feedback. By increasing the head moment of inertia in patients with sensory and cerebellar disease, we demonstrated that head movements during gaze shifts are guided online by vestibular input and that this feedback loop involves the cerebellum.
|
||||
III.) Clinical application
We aim to improve the diagnosis and treatment of oculomotor and vestibular disease. Therefore, we are working to evaluate and establish a tool (EyeSeeCam, developed by Erich Schneider’s group, Department for Clinical Neurosciences) to measure 3D eye-head movements at the bedside in children and adults. At the moment, we characterize vestibular function in disease, e.g., Menière’s, and are interested in the effect of drugs on the vestibular system. |
||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
Recent Publications
|
Team |
||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Nadine Lehnen MD MPhil |
Murat Sağlam PhD |
Nicholas S. Todd BE |
Cecilia Ramaioli B BiomedE |
Maria Heuberger MD |
Main collaborators
- Stefan Glasauer PhD (IFB, Institute for Clinical Neurosciences, BCCN)
- Robert Gürkov, MD (IFB, ENT)
- Klaus Jahn MD (IFB, Neurology)
- Erich Schneider PhD (IFB, Institute for Clinical Neurosciences)
- Swee T. Aw MBBS, PhD (Sydney University, Australia)
- Stefano Ramat PhD (Pavia University, Italy)
- Michael J. Todd BE, MBiomedE (RPA Hospital, Sydney, Australia)
- Konrad P. Weber MD (University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland)