Drugs and postural sway: quantifying balance as a tool to measure drug effects

Research aimed at modeling the relationship of the center of gravity (COG) to the center of pressure (COP) and testing alternative clinically useful measures of postural stability that are based on the COG and COP is described. Postural sway is spontaneous involuntary body movements that result from the neuromuscular corrective mechanisms acting to preserve static posture, such as standing or sitting. The second aim of the research is to implement clinically relevant measures of postural stability, such as the limits of stability, in the context of the ongoing examination of the effects of drugs on balance. Preliminary results and directions of future research are outlined.<>