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Manno FAM, Cheung P, Basnet V, Khan MS, Mao Y, Pan L, Ma V, Cho WC, Tian S, An Z, Feng Y, Cai YL, Pienkowski M, Lau C. Subtle alterations of vestibulomotor functioning in conductive hearing loss. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1057551. [PMID: 37706156 PMCID: PMC10495589 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1057551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Conductive hearing loss (CHL) attenuates the ability to transmit air conducted sounds to the ear. In humans, severe hearing loss is often accompanied by alterations to other neural systems, such as the vestibular system; however, the inter-relations are not well understood. The overall goal of this study was to assess vestibular-related functioning proxies in a rat CHL model. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats (N=134, 250g, 2months old) were used in a CHL model which produced a >20dB threshold shift induced by tympanic membrane puncture. Auditory brainstem response (ABRs) recordings were used to determine threshold depth at different times before and after CHL. ABR threshold depths were assessed both manually and by an automated ABR machine learning algorithm. Vestibular-related functioning proxy assessment was performed using the rotarod, balance beam, elevator vertical motion (EVM) and Ferris-wheel rotation (FWR) assays. Results The Pre-CHL (control) threshold depth was 27.92dB±11.58dB compared to the Post-CHL threshold depth of 50.69dB±13.98dB (mean±SD) across the frequencies tested. The automated ABR machine learning algorithm determined the following threshold depths: Pre-CHL=24.3dB, Post-CHL same day=56dB, Post-CHL 7 days=41.16dB, and Post-CHL 1 month=32.5dB across the frequencies assessed (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32kHz). Rotarod assessment of motor function was not significantly different between pre and post-CHL (~1week) rats for time duration (sec) or speed (RPM), albeit the former had a small effect size difference. Balance beam time to transverse was significantly longer for post-CHL rats, likely indicating a change in motor coordination. Further, failure to cross was only noted for CHL rats. The defection count was significantly reduced for CHL rats compared to control rats following FWR, but not EVM. The total distance traveled during open-field examination after EVM was significantly different between control and CHL rats, but not for FWR. The EVM is associated with linear acceleration (acting in the vertical plane: up-down) stimulating the saccule, while the FWR is associated with angular acceleration (centrifugal rotation about a circular axis) stimulating both otolith organs and semicircular canals; therefore, the difference in results could reflect the specific vestibular-organ functional role. Discussion Less movement (EVM) and increase time to transverse (balance beam) may be associated with anxiety and alterations to defecation patterns (FWR) may result from autonomic disturbances due to the impact of hearing loss. In this regard, vestibulomotor deficits resulting in changes in balance and motion could be attributed to comodulation of auditory and vestibular functioning. Future studies should manipulate vestibular functioning directly in rats with CHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis A. M. Manno
- Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Imaging Science, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center for Advanced Nuclear Safety and Sustainable Development, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pikting Cheung
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vardhan Basnet
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Yuqi Mao
- Department of Nautical Injury Prevention, Faculty of Navy Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leilei Pan
- Department of Nautical Injury Prevention, Faculty of Navy Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Victor Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - William C. Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shile Tian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqi An
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqiu Feng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing and Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Ling Cai
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Martin Pienkowski
- Osborne College of Audiology, Salus University, Elkins Park, PA, United States
| | - Condon Lau
- Center for Advanced Nuclear Safety and Sustainable Development, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Rice D, Martinelli GP, Jiang W, Holstein GR, Rajguru SM. Pulsed Infrared Stimulation of Vertical Semicircular Canals Evokes Cardiovascular Changes in the Rat. Front Neurol 2021; 12:680044. [PMID: 34122320 PMCID: PMC8193737 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.680044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of stimuli activating vestibular end organs, including sinusoidal galvanic vestibular stimulation, whole body rotation and tilt, and head flexion have been shown to evoke significant changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). While a role for the vertical semicircular canals in altering autonomic activity has been hypothesized, studies to-date attribute the evoked BP and HR responses to the otolith organs. The present study determined whether unilateral activation of the posterior (PC) or anterior (AC) semicircular canal is sufficient to elicit changes in BP and/or HR. The study employed frequency-modulated pulsed infrared radiation (IR: 1,863 nm) directed via optical fibers to PC or AC of adult male Long-Evans rats. BP and HR changes were detected using a small-animal single pressure telemetry device implanted in the femoral artery. Eye movements evoked during IR of the vestibular endorgans were used to confirm the stimulation site. We found that sinusoidal IR delivered to either PC or AC elicited a rapid decrease in BP and HR followed by a stimulation frequency-matched modulation. The magnitude of the initial decrements in HR and BP did not correlate with the energy of the suprathreshold stimulus. This response pattern was consistent across multiple trials within an experimental session, replicable, and in most animals showed no evidence of habituation or an additive effect. Frequency modulated electrical current delivered to the PC and IR stimulation of the AC, caused decrements in HR and BP that resembled those evoked by IR of the PC. Frequency domain heart rate variability assessment revealed that, in most subjects, IR stimulation increased the low frequency (LF) component and decreased the high frequency (HF) component, resulting in an increase in the LF/HF ratio. This ratio estimates the relative contributions of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activities. An injection of atropine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, diminished the IR evoked changes in HR, while the non-selective beta blocker propranolol eliminated changes in both HR and BP. This study provides direct evidence that activation of a single vertical semicircular canal is sufficient to activate and modulate central pathways that control HR and BP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrian Rice
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Giorgio P Martinelli
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Weitao Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Gay R Holstein
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Suhrud M Rajguru
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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Hitier M, Zhang YF, Sato G, Besnard S, Zheng Y, Smith PF. Stratification of hippocampal electrophysiological activation evoked by selective electrical stimulation of different angular and linear acceleration sensors in the rat peripheral vestibular system. Hear Res 2021; 403:108173. [PMID: 33465547 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2021.108173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
It has become well established that vestibular information is important for hippocampal function and spatial memory. However, as yet, relatively little is known about how different kinds of vestibular information are 'represented' in different parts of the hippocampus. This study used selective electrical stimulation of each of the 5 vestibular sensors (the horizontal (HC), anterior (AC) and posterior (PC) semi-circular canals, and the utricle and saccule) in the rat and recorded local field potentials (LFPs) across the hippocampus, using a 16 electrode microarray. We found that stimulation of any vestibular sensor in the left labyrinth evoked triphasic LFPs in both hippocampi, although it was clear that, in general, the amplitudes were greater for the right, contralateral side. This was particularly true for Phase 1 for the HC, AC, utricle and saccule, Phase 2 for the HC, PC, utricle and saccule, and Phase 3 for the AC, PC and saccule. Overall, our results suggest that vestibular input to the hippocampus is bilateral, preferentially contralateral, but highly stratified in that stimulation of the same vestibular sensor results in activation of different specific areas of the hippocampus, with different LFP amplitudes and latencies. This suggests the possibility that different regions of the hippocampus use different kinds of vestibular information for different purposes and that there may be a high degree of redundancy in the representation of vestibular input, perhaps ensuring that the hippocampus is more robust to the partial loss of vestibular information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hitier
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, CHU de Caen, France; Dept. Anatomy, UNICAEN, Normadie University, 14032 Caen, France; INSERM, U1075, COMETE, 1400, Caen, France; Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yan-Feng Zhang
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Dept. Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Go Sato
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tokushima School of Medicine, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | - Yiwen Zheng
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Research New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence, New Zealand; Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul F Smith
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Research New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence, New Zealand; Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
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Hitier M, Zhang YF, Sato G, Besnard S, Zheng Y, Smith PF. The effects of selective electrical stimulation of the rat cochlea on hippocampal field potentials. Hear Res 2020; 395:108023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2020.108023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Surgical techniques and functional evaluation for vestibular lesions in the mouse: unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) and unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN). J Neurol 2020; 267:51-61. [PMID: 32556569 PMCID: PMC7718198 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09960-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) and unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN) are two surgical methods to produce vestibular lesions in the mouse. The objective of this study was to describe the surgical technique of both methods, and compare functional compensation using vestibulo-ocular reflex-based tests. METHODS UL and UVN were each performed on groups of seven and ten mice, respectively. Main surgical landmarks were the facial nerve, the external auditory canal and the sternomastoid and digastric muscles. For UL, the sternomastoid muscle was elevated to expose the mastoid, which was drilled to destroy the labyrinth. For UVN, the bulla was drilled opened and a transcochlear approach enabled the identification of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve exiting the brainstem, which was sectioned and the ganglion of Scarpa suctioned. Behaviour and vestibular function were analysed before surgery and at 1, 4, 7 days and at 1 month postlesion using sinusoidal rotation, off-vertical axis rotation, static head tilts and angular velocity steps. RESULTS UL is a faster and safer procedure than UVN (operative time 16.3 vs 20.5 min, p = 0.19; survival rate 86% vs 60%, p = 0.25). UVN was more severe with significantly worse behavioural scores at day 4 and day 7 (p < 0.001). Vestibular compensation was overall similar during the first week and at 1 month (non-statistically significant difference). CONCLUSION Both UL and UVN procedures can routinely be performed in the mouse with similar post-operative recovery and behavioural compensation. The operative risk of vascular or neurological damage is smaller in UL compared to UVN. UVN may be required for specific research protocols studying central cellular process specifically related to the destruction of the ganglion of Scarpa and following vestibular nerve degeneration.
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Smith PF. The Growing Evidence for the Importance of the Otoliths in Spatial Memory. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:66. [PMID: 31680880 PMCID: PMC6813194 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies have demonstrated that vestibular sensory input is important for spatial learning and memory. However, it has been unclear what contributions the different parts of the vestibular system - the semi-circular canals and otoliths - make to these processes. The advent of mutant otolith-deficient mice has made it possible to isolate the relative contributions of the otoliths, the utricle and saccule. A number of studies have now indicated that the loss of otolithic function impairs normal spatial memory and also impairs the normal function of head direction cells in the thalamus and place cells in the hippocampus. Epidemiological studies have also provided evidence that spatial memory impairment with aging, may be linked to saccular function. The otoliths may be important in spatial cognition because of their evolutionary age as a sensory detector of orientation and the fact that velocity storage is important to the way that the brain encodes its place in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul F. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brain Health Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Abstract
For decades it has been speculated that Parkinson's Disease (PD) is associated with dysfunction of the vestibular system, especially given that postural instability is one of the major symptoms of the disorder. Nonetheless, clear evidence of such a connection has been slow to emerge. There are still relatively few studies of the vestibulo-ocular reflexes (VORs) in PD. However, substantial evidence of vestibulo-spinal reflex deficits, in the form of abnormal vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), now exists. The evidence for abnormalities in the subjective visual vertical is less consistent. However, some studies suggest that the integration of visual and vestibular information may be abnormal in PD. In the last few years, a number of studies have been published which demonstrate that the neuropathology associated with PD, such as Lewy bodies, is present in the central vestibular system. Increasingly, stochastic or noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) is being investigated as a potential treatment for PD, and a number of studies have presented evidence in support of this idea. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically evaluate the human and animal evidence relating to the connection between the vestibular system and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul F Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences and The Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Brain Research New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence, Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hitier M, Sato G, Zhang YF, Zheng Y, Besnard S, Smith PF. Vestibular-related eye movements in the rat following selective electrical stimulation of the vestibular sensors. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2018; 204:835-847. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-018-1286-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Effects of electrical stimulation of the rat vestibular labyrinth on c-Fos expression in the hippocampus. Neurosci Lett 2018; 677:60-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Yamaoka Y, Abe C, Morita H. Comparison among ultrasonic, electrical apparatus, and toxic chemicals for vestibular lesion in mice. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 295:58-67. [PMID: 29198950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vestibular lesion (VL) is required to examine the physiological function of the vestibular system in animals. Toxic chemicals or electrical apparatus have been used for the VL, however, they are not ideal as they have low specificity, and can result in unintended damage, and systemic toxic effect. NEW METHOD Localized vibration-induced VL, using an ultrasonicator, is expected to overcome the problems associated with chemical and electrical lesions. Thus, we examined the effect of the ultrasonication on the VL from the aspects of both the physiological function and histology in the present study. RESULTS and Comparison with Existing Method(s) Complete VL, which was evaluated by deterioration of swimming skills, righting reflex, and body stability, was induced using an ultrasonicator or electrical apparatus. Histological evaluation shows that hair cell layers in the saccule and utricle were completely destroyed in both methods Furthermore, significant drop in body mass was observed in VL. However, abscess at the cranial base was observed in VL induced by the electrical apparatus in ICR mice. Complete chemically-induced VL was observed in C57BL/6J but not ICR mice, and systemic leakage of the toxic chemicals (arsenic) was not detectable even 1day after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Compared to the electrical apparatus, the ultrasonicator is useful for inducing VL in ICR and C57BL/6J mice, as it results in less non-specific damage. Toxic chemicals can be used for inducing VL in C57BL/6J mice; however, this method does not ensure complete disruption of the hair cells in the saccule and utricle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Yamaoka
- Department of Physiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Chikara Abe
- Department of Physiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Hironobu Morita
- Department of Physiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
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Aitken P, Zheng Y, Smith PF. The modulation of hippocampal theta rhythm by the vestibular system. J Neurophysiol 2018; 119:548-562. [DOI: 10.1152/jn.00548.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system is a sensory system that has evolved over millions of years to detect acceleration of the head, both rotational and translational, in three dimensions. One of its most important functions is to stabilize gaze during unexpected head movement; however, it is also important in the control of posture and autonomic reflexes. Theta rhythm is a 3- to 12-Hz oscillating EEG signal that is intimately linked to self-motion and is also known to be important in learning and memory. Many studies over the last two decades have shown that selective activation of the vestibular system, using either natural rotational or translational stimulation, or electrical stimulation of the peripheral vestibular system, can induce and modulate theta activity. Furthermore, inactivation of the vestibular system has been shown to significantly reduce theta in freely moving animals, which may be linked to its impairment of place cell function as well as spatial learning and memory. The pathways through which vestibular information modulate theta rhythm remain debatable. However, vestibular responses have been found in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) and activation of the vestibular system causes an increase in acetylcholine release into the hippocampus, probably from the medial septum. Therefore, a pathway from the vestibular nucleus complex and/or cerebellum to the PPTg, supramammillary nucleus, posterior hypothalamic nucleus, and septum to the hippocampus is likely. The modulation of theta by the vestibular system may have implications for vestibular effects on cognitive function and the contribution of vestibular impairment to the risk of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Aitken
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yiwen Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul F. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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