Journal of Vestibular Research - Volume 34, issue 1

Authors: Furman, Joseph M.

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/VES-241001

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 1-1, 2024

Authors: Bosmans, Joyce | Gommeren, Hanne | zu Eulenburg, Peter | Gilles, Annick | Mertens, Griet | Van Ombergen, Angelique | Cras, Patrick | Engelborghs, Sebastiaan | Van Rompaey, Vincent

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recent studies implicate the effect of vestibular loss on cognitive decline, including hippocampal volume loss. As hippocampal atrophy is an important biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease, exploring vestibular dysfunction as a risk factor for dementia and its role in hippocampal atrophy is of interest. OBJECTIVE: To replicate previous literature on whole-brain and hippocampal volume in semicircular canal dysfunction (bilateral vestibulopathy; BV) and explore the association between otolith function and hippocampal volume. METHODS: Hippocampal and whole-brain MRI volumes were compared in adults aged between 55 and 83 years. Participants with BV (n  = 16) were compared to controls …individually matched on age, sex, and hearing status (n  = 16). Otolith influence on hippocampal volume in preserved semicircular canal function was evaluated (n  = 34). RESULTS: Whole-brain and targeted hippocampal approaches using volumetric and surface-based measures yielded no significant differences when comparing BV to controls. Binary support vector machines were unable to classify inner ear health status above chance level. Otolith parameters were not associated with hippocampal volume in preserved semicircular canal function. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in whole-brain or hippocampal volume were found when comparing BV participants with healthy controls. Saccular parameters in subjects with preserved semicircular canal function were not associated with hippocampal volume changes. Show more

Keywords: Hippocampus, bilateral vestibulopathy, hearing loss, Alzheimer’s disease, cognition, dementia

DOI: 10.3233/VES-230076

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 3-13, 2024

Authors: Baran, Suheda | Kirazli, Gulce | Pistav Akmese, Pelin | Celebisoy, Nese | Kirazli, Tayfun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In our study, it was aimed to compare vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and saccade parameters in HIMP and SHIMP tests between gender, right and left ears, and age groups in healthy adults and to examine the correlation between the tests regarding these parameters. METHODS: The study included a total of 100 healthy participants aged 18–65 and without complaints of hearing loss, dizziness, lightheadedness, and/or imbalance. Participants underwent HIMP and SHIMP tests, respectively. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in HIMP and SHIMP VOR gain values according to gender and age groups. SHIMP …duration was significantly longer in women. VOR gain values were lower in the right ear. HIMP amplitude values were higher and SHIMP amplitude values were lower with increasing age. In older age groups, SHIMP peak velocity and duration values were significantly decreased, while HIMP duration value increased and latency value was longer. In the 1st saccade, a significant difference was obtained between HIMP and SHIMP tests for all saccade parameters. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the VOR gain values of HIMP and SHIMP tests. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that VOR gain and saccade parameters obtained in different age groups will be important in determining clinical outcomes in vestibular pathologies. Show more

Keywords: Head impulse test, suppression head impulse test, saccade, VOR

DOI: 10.3233/VES-230063

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 15-28, 2024

Authors: Furman, Joseph M. | Shirey, Ian | Roxberg, Jillyn | Kiderman, Alexander

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The computerized rotational head impulse test (crHIT) uses a computer-controlled rotational chair to deliver whole-body rotational impulses to assess the semicircular canals. The crHIT has only been described for horizontal head plane rotations. The purpose of this study was to describe the crHIT for vertical head plane rotations. In this preliminary study, we assessed four patients with surgically confirmed unilateral peripheral vestibular abnormalities and two control subjects. Results indicated that the crHIT was well-tolerated for both horizontal head plane and vertical head plane stimuli. The crHIT successfully assessed each of the six semicircular canals. This study suggests that the crHIT …has the potential to become a new laboratory-based vestibular test for both the horizontal and vertical semicircular canals. Show more

Keywords: Vestibular testing, semicircular canal, labyrinth

DOI: 10.3233/VES-230121

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 29-38, 2024

Authors: Obeidat, Faten S. | Alghwiri, Alia A. | Bell, Steven L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The technique of measuring ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP) in response to Mini-shaker vibration is relatively new, there is a limited normative data to define the presence or absence of a response in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To determine the test-retest reliability of cervical and ocular VEMPs (cVEMP and oVEMP, respectively) to air-conducted sound (ACS) and bone-conducted vibration (BCV) stimulation and to determine normative ranges for the responses. METHODS: Twenty normal-hearing individuals (40 ears) and 20 hearing impaired volunteers with normal balance function (40 ears) were examined in this study. ACS cVEMP …and BCV oVEMP (using a Mini-shaker) were recorded from both groups to assess the test-retest reliability and to collect normative VEMP data for P1/N1 latencies and amplitudes from 20 normal hearing individuals. To test reliability, VEMP recordings were repeated within the same session. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability for all the cVEMP parameters showed excellent reliability whereas oVEMP parameters showed between fair and excellent reliability depending on the parameter tested. Normative data for VEMP P1/N1 latencies and amplitudes were established. CONCLUSIONS: Normative data and test-retest reliability for BCV oVEMP using the Mini-shaker at 100 Hz were established in our study for the first time in the literature. Responses appear reliable. Show more

Keywords: Reliability, bone-conducted vibration, vestibular evoked myogenic potential, air-conducted sound

DOI: 10.3233/VES-230029

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 39-48, 2024

Authors: Michailidou, Efterpi | Korda, Athanasia | Wyss, Thomas | Bardins, Stanislav | Schneider, Erich | Morrison, Miranda | Wagner, Franca | Caversaccio, Marco D. | Mantokoudis, Georgios

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: A normal video Head Impulse Test is the gold standard in the emergency department to rule-in patients with an acute vestibular syndrome and a stroke. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of vHIT metrics regarding the vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and the corrective saccades in detecting vestibular strokes. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study (convenience sample) of patients presenting with acute vestibular syndrome in the emergency department of a tertiary referral centre between February 2015 and May 2020. We screened 1677 patients and enrolled 76 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria of acute vestibular syndrome. All patients underwent …video head impulse test with automated and manual data analysis. A delayed MRI served as a gold standard for vestibular stroke confirmation. RESULTS: Out of 76 patients, 52 were diagnosed with acute unilateral vestibulopathy and 24 with vestibular strokes. The overall accuracy of detecting stroke with an automated vestibulo-ocular reflex gain was 86.8%, compared to 77.6% for cumulative saccade amplitude and automatic saccade mean peak velocity measured by an expert and 71% for cumulative saccade amplitude and saccade mean peak velocity measured automatically. Gain misclassified 13.1% of the patients as false positive or false negative, manual cumulative saccade amplitude and saccade mean peak velocity 22.3%, and automated cumulative saccade amplitude and saccade mean peak velocity 28.9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found a better accuracy of video head impulse test for the diagnosis of vestibular strokes when using the vestibulo-ocular reflex gain than using saccade metrics. Nevertheless, saccades provide an additional and important information for video head impulse test evaluation. The automated saccade detection algorithm is not yet perfect compared to expert analysis, but it may become a valuable tool for future non-expert video head impulse test evaluations. Show more

Keywords: Head impulse test, vestibular stroke, saccades

DOI: 10.3233/VES-230083

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 49-61, 2024

Authors: Tang, Bo | Jiang, Wei | Zhang, Chuang | Tan, Hong | Luo, Minghua | He, Yuqin | Yu, Xiaojun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a functional vestibular disorder that causes chronic dizziness and limits daily activities. Although pharmacology, vestibular rehabilitation, and cognitive behavioral therapy have been proposed to have some efficacy, they have certain limitations. Some patients with PPPD report that public square dancing can effectively relieve the symptoms of dizziness and instability, and their mood improves. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of combining public square dancing with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs/SNRIs) on the subjective sensations of dizziness, balance enhancement, anxiety, and depressive symptom regulation in middle-aged and older women with PPPD. …MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this trial, 124 patients diagnosed with PPPD were enrolled. Among them, 64 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG), where they received square dance training combined with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The remaining 60 cases were randomly assigned to the control group (CG), where they received only serotonin reuptake inhibitors and did not participate in organized sports activities, allowing them freedom in their daily lives. Data from the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Active-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and Vestibular Disorder Activities of Daily Living Scale (VADL) were collected and compared at the beginning, 3 months, and 6 months of the trial to evaluate the effect of public square dancing on middle-aged and older women with PPPD. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the EG and CG before the trial. Compared with baseline measures, DHI, HADS, ABC, and VADL scores improved as the experiment progressed, and the improvements were more pronounced in the EG. CONCLUSION: Public square dancing combined with serotonin reuptake inhibitors has a positive impact on the subjective sensations of dizziness, balance enhancement, anxiety, and depressive symptom regulation in middle-aged and older women with PPPD. Show more

Keywords: Dizziness, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, public square dancing, health.

DOI: 10.3233/VES-230045

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 63-72, 2024

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/VES-249001

Citation: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 73-73, 2024