Andrew A. McCall, PhD
Department of Otolaryngology
University of Pittsburgh

Abstract
Balance control is inherently multimodal: the central nervous system receives afferent inputs from multiple sensory systems, including the vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems, and processes these sensory inputs to adjust motor outflow for maintenance of balance.  Dysfunction of any of these inputs can lead to sensory ambiguity and increased postural instability and risk of fall.  Improved understanding of the neural underpinnings of balance control should lead to novel therapeutic targets for patients suffering from sensory dysfunction disorders leading to imbalance.  The focus of this talk will be on the processing of somatosensory and vestibular information within the central nervous system, with a particular focus on limb somatosensory inputs to vestibular processing centers in the brainstem.

Physiology Brownbag Seminars
The Physiology Group in the School of Biological Sciences hosts Brownbag Lunchtime Seminars twice a month on Wednesdays at noon in room 1253 of the Applied Physiology Building located at 555 14th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. You are welcome to bring a lunch and join us as we ruminate with us on topics in Physiology! A full listing of seminars can be found at http://pwp.gatech.edu/bmmc/seminars/.