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Borsetto D, Corazzi V, Obholzer R, Bianchini C, Pelucchi S, Solmi M, Jiang D, Amin N, Pai I, Ciorba A. Dizziness, psychological disorders and cognitive decline. Panminerva Med 2023; 65:84-90. [PMID: 33988326 DOI: 10.23736/s0031-0808.21.04209-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dizziness is a common disorder, particularly among the elderly population. Aim of this paper was to revise the current concepts surrounding the relationship between dizziness, psychological disorders and cognitive decline. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION This is a PRISMA-compliant systematic review, including observational studies in people with dizziness. Database inception, Medline/Cochrane/Embase/Web of Science/Scopus/NHS evidence were searched until October 30, 2019. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Overall 22 studies, and 65,730 participants were included. Eleven studies were cross-sectional, 7 cross-sectional controlled, 2 prospective case-control, 1 retrospective case series, and 1 cohort study. The persistence of vestibular impairment (for 6 months or more) was correlated to the presence of psychological disorders affecting patient's Quality of Life and causing social anxiety, particularly in some conditions such as Ménière's disease. Interestingly, vestibular loss has been also correlated to cognitive impairment, with certain vestibular dysfunctions reported to be more prevalent in cognitive impaired individuals. CONCLUSIONS The current literature suggests that there is an association between vestibular function, psychological disorders and cognitive functions. The findings from this review could be useful in informing on the need for a multidimensional diagnostic and rehabilitative programs for patients with dizziness. More studies could explore the role of counseling or behavioral therapy with an aim to reduce the perceived dizziness-related disability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Virginia Corazzi
- ENT and Audiology Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Bianchini
- ENT and Audiology Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Pelucchi
- ENT and Audiology Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Solmi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dan Jiang
- Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Nikul Amin
- Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Irumee Pai
- Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Andrea Ciorba
- ENT and Audiology Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy -
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Blackwell AA, Jodelka FM, Lake RI, Hastings ML, Wallace DG. Spatial Disorientation Under Dark Conditions Across Development in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Neuroscience 2023; 511:53-69. [PMID: 36587866 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with hippocampal neuropathology and cognitive impairments, including wandering behavior or becoming lost in a familiar environment. Wandering behavior is severe and manifests early in life for people with specific genetic mutations. Genetic mouse models of AD have been developed to characterize the onset and progression of behavioral deficits that represent human behaviors, such as wandering, to test the efficacy of therapeutics. It is not clear if current assessments of mouse models capture the onset of AD or a snapshot of its progression. Sequential analysis of open field behavior provides a robust, quick test to dissociate navigation cues that contribute to spatial disorientation, a feature of wandering. Despite potential utility in evaluating this feature of AD, little work has been reported using animal models of dementia in this task. Thus, we examined the use of different sources of information to maintain spatial orientation at two prodromal ages in female transgenic CRND8 AD (n = 17) and Control mice (n = 16). These mice exhibit amyloid plaques, a hallmark neuropathological feature of AD, that are associated with cognitive dysfunction at ∼three months of age. Spatial disorientation was observed at two months and more severely at four months under dark conditions, but performance was spared when visual environmental cues were available. This study provides documentation of impaired self-movement cue processing in AD mice, establishing the dark open field as a behavioral tool to characterize spatial disorientation associated with AD. These findings may accelerate future assessments of novel therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders.
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Chepisheva MK. Spatial orientation, postural control and the vestibular system in healthy elderly and Alzheimer's dementia. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15040. [PMID: 37151287 PMCID: PMC10162042 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background While extensive research has been advancing our understanding of the spatial and postural decline in healthy elderly (HE) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), much less is known about how the vestibular system contributes to the spatial and postural processing in these two populations. This is especially relevant during turning movements in the dark, such as while walking in our garden or at home at night, where the vestibular signal becomes central. As the prevention of falls and disorientation are of serious concern for the medical service, more vestibular-driven knowledge is necessary to decrease the burden for HE and AD patients with vestibular disabilities. Overview of the article The review briefly presents the current "non-vestibular based" knowledge (i.e. knowledge based on research that does not mention the "vestibular system" as a contributor or does not investigate its effects) about spatial navigation and postural control during normal healthy ageing and AD pathology. Then, it concentrates on the critical sense of the vestibular system and explores the current expertise about the aspects of spatial orientation and postural control from a vestibular system point of view. The norm is set by first looking at how healthy elderly change with age with respect to their vestibular-guided navigation and balance, followed by the AD patients and the difficulties they experience in maintaining their balance or during navigation. Conclusion Vestibular spatial and vestibular postural deficits present a considerable disadvantage and are felt not only on a physical but also on a psychological level by all those affected. Still, there is a clear need for more (central) vestibular-driven spatial and postural knowledge in healthy and pathological ageing, which can better facilitate our understanding of the aetiology of these dysfunctions. A possible change can start with the more frequent implementation of the "vestibular system examination/rehabilitation/therapy" in the clinic, which can then lead to an improvement of future prognostication and disease outcome for the patients.
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Cohen HS, Lincoln CM, Pavlik VN, Sangi-Haghpeykar H. Changes in Measures of Vestibular and Balance Function and Hippocampus Volume in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Otol Neurotol 2022; 43:e663-70. [PMID: 35761460 DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypotheses that people with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment have increased frequency of vestibular impairments and decreased hippocampal volume compared with healthy age-matched controls. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective, with some historical controls. SETTING Out-patient, tertiary care center. SUBJECTS People with mild to moderate dementia diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and with mild cognitive impairment. Main Outcome Measures: A standard clinical battery of objective tests of the vestibular system, and screening for balance; available clinical diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) were reviewed and postprocessed to quantify the left and right hippocampal volumes utilizing both manual segmentation and computer automated segmentation. RESULTS Study subjects (N = 26) had significantly more vestibular impairments, especially on Dix-Hallpike maneuvers and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP), than historical controls. No differences were found between mild and moderate dementia subjects. Independence on instrumental activities of daily living in subjects with age-normal balance approached statistical differences from subjects with age-abnormal balance. MRI data were available for 11 subjects. Subjects with abnormal cVEMP had significantly reduced left hippocampal MRIs using manual segmentation compared with subjects with normal cVEMP. CONCLUSION The data from this small sample support and extend previous evidence for vestibular impairments in this population. The small MRI sample set should be considered preliminary evidence, and suggests the need for further research, with a more robust sample and high-resolution MRIs performed for the purpose of hippocampal analysis.
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Coto J, Alvarez CL, Cejas I, Colbert BM, Levin BE, Huppert J, Rundek T, Balaban C, Blanton SH, Lee DJ, Loewenstein D, Hoffer M, Liu XZ. Peripheral vestibular system: Age-related vestibular loss and associated deficits. J Otol 2021; 16:258-265. [PMID: 34548873 PMCID: PMC8438634 DOI: 10.1016/j.joto.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the interdependence of multiple factors in age-related vestibular loss (e.g., balance, vision, cognition), it is important to examine the individual contributions of these factors with ARVL. While the relationship between the vestibular and visual systems has been well studied (Bronstein et al., 2015), little is known about the association of the peripheral vestibular system with neurodegenerative disorders (Cronin et al., 2017). Further, emerging research developments implicate the vestibular system as an opportunity for examining brain function beyond balance, and into other areas, such as cognition and psychological functioning. Additionally, the bidirectional impact of psychological functioning is understudied in ARVL. Recognition of ARVL as part of a multifaceted aging process will help guide the development of integrated interventions for patients who remain at risk for decline. In this review, we will discuss a wide variety of characteristics of the peripheral vestibular system and ARVL, how it relates to neurodegenerative diseases, and correlations between ARVL and balance, vision, cognitive, and psychological dysfunction. We also discuss clinical implications as well as future directions for research, with an emphasis on improving care for patients with ARVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Coto
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Ivette Cejas
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Brett M. Colbert
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Miami, FL, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bonnie E. Levin
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurology and the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Joshua Huppert
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tatjana Rundek
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurology and the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Carey Balaban
- University of Pittsburgh, Departments of Otolaryngology, Neurobiology, Communication Sciences & Disorders, and Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Susan H. Blanton
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. John T. Macdonald Department of Human Genetics, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David J. Lee
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David Loewenstein
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Michael Hoffer
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Xue Zhong Liu
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Miami, FL, USA
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Bosmans J, Jorissen C, Gilles A, Mertens G, Engelborghs S, Cras P, Van Ombergen A, Van Rompaey V. Vestibular Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review. Ear Hear 2021. [PMID: 33974775 DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Given the rising prevalence of patients with dementia and those at risk for it, early identification is prioritized. As vestibular dysfunction is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may contribute to its onset, vestibular assessment may yield an opportunity in early dementia screening. OBJECTIVE This systematic review structures and compares the different raw outcome measures used to assess vestibular function while comparing older adults with preserved cognition to individuals with cognitive impairment, either suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD. DESIGN Two investigators independently and systematically searched publications performing objectively measured vestibular testing in a patient population consisting of either MCI or AD, compared with a control group of older adults with preserved cognition. No limitations regarding language or publication date were applied. References of the retrieved articles were hand searched for relevant articles. RESULTS Seven articles were included for analysis. A total of 235 older adults with impaired cognition (150 AD, 85 MCI) were compared with a control group of 481 older adults with preserved cognition. Evaluation of the peripheral vestibular function included video head impulse test (vHIT), videonystagmography (VNG), electronystagmography (ENG) including bithermal caloric irrigation and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP). The VEMP test, assessing otolith function and the elicited vestibulocollic reflex (VCR), was able to differentiate subjects with AD and its prodromal stage from healthy controls, with p13 latency (p < 0.05) and amplitude (p < 0.05) having the most discriminating power.No correlation between cognitive decline and vestibulo-ocular reflex measurements in different frequency ranges of the semicircular canals (using vHIT, rotatory chair testing, and caloric irrigation) was found. Because of the limited number of available studies and the large heterogeneity in outcome measures, these results have to be interpreted with caution. CONCLUSIONS Measurements of the VCR, as evoked by the VEMP test, discriminate between patients with cognitive impairment (MCI and AD) and older adults with preserved cognition, whereas measurements of the vestibulo-ocular reflex do not. More studies are needed to further elaborate on these findings.
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Nakamagoe K, Yamada S, Kawakami R, Maeno T, Koganezawa T, Tamaoka A. Clinical Application of the Vestibular Stimulation Effect on Balance Disorders with Dementia. Curr Alzheimer Res 2021; 18:1-7. [PMID: 33761856 DOI: 10.2174/1567205018666210324105642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a previous study on Alzheimer's disease (AD), we showed that vestibular dysfunction derived from cerebral disorders contributes to balance disorders. No previous clinical study has attempted to prevent the progression of balance disorders in dementia patients through vestibular stimulation using an air caloric device. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this pilot study was to delay the progression of balance disorders by inducing vestibular compensation, specifically by utilizing the effect of vestibular stimulation to activate the cerebrum. METHODS Fifteen individuals were randomized and classified into a stimulation group or a nonstimulation group. Eight AD patients underwent vestibular stimulation every 2 weeks for 6 months in the stimulation group. Seven AD patients participated in the nonstimulation group (the control group). Both groups were subsequently evaluated using a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), stepping test, caloric test, and smooth pursuit eye movement test just before starting the study and 6 months later. RESULTS For balance parameters, the various tests did not show any significant differences between the two groups. However, in the stepping test, the decline rate tended to be higher in the nonstimulation group than in the stimulation group. The stimulation group's rate of decline in MMSE scores was lower than that of the nonstimulation group (p=0.015). No adverse events were tracked during the present study. CONCLUSION Repeated vestibular stimulation might help patients retain greater balance and higher function. To prove these effects, the future clinical application will require an increased number of cases and longer periods of vestibular stimulation. This study showed that vestibular stimulation by air caloric device is safe and tolerable in patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyotaka Nakamagoe
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,Japan
| | - Shiori Yamada
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,Japan
| | - Rio Kawakami
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,Japan
| | - Takami Maeno
- Department of Primary Care and Medical Education, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,Japan
| | - Tadachika Koganezawa
- Department of Physiology, Division of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,Japan
| | - Akira Tamaoka
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,Japan
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Na S, Im JJ, Jeong H, Lee ES, Lee TK, Chung YA, Song IU. Altered Regional Cerebral Blood Perfusion in Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients with Dizziness. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10100777. [PMID: 33008120 PMCID: PMC7599883 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10100777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dizziness is a common symptom among the general population, especially in the elderly. Previous studies have reported that dizziness may be associated with various cognitive functions including memory impairment. However, few studies have investigated the neural correlates of dizziness in patients with cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to examine regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients with or without dizziness using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A total of 50 patients with MCI were recruited. All participants underwent technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer brain SPECT and a neuropsychological battery and completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Participants were divided into a dizziness group (DHI ≥ 1, n = 18) and a non-dizziness group (DHI = 0, n = 32). Voxel wise differences in rCBF between the groups were estimated. SPECT analysis revealed decreased rCBF in the left superior temporal gyrus, left lateral orbital gyrus, and right middle frontal gyrus in the dizziness group compared with the non-dizziness group (p < 0.005). No significant clusters of increased rCBF were observed in the dizziness group compared with the non-dizziness group. Results of the neuropsychological tests showed a significant difference in Controlled Oral Word Association Test performance between MCI patients with and without dizziness. In conclusion, MCI patients with dizziness showed multifocal frontal and left temporal hypoperfusion compared with patients without dizziness. Our results suggest that hypoperfusion in the frontal and temporal cortices might be reflecting the negative impact of dizziness in MCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghee Na
- Department of Neurology, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Korea;
| | - Jooyeon Jamie Im
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Korea; (J.J.I.); (H.J.)
| | - Hyeonseok Jeong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Korea; (J.J.I.); (H.J.)
- Department of Radiology, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Korea
| | - Eek-Sung Lee
- Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon 14584, Korea; (E.-S.L.); (T.-K.L.)
| | - Tae-Kyeong Lee
- Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon 14584, Korea; (E.-S.L.); (T.-K.L.)
| | - Yong-An Chung
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Korea; (J.J.I.); (H.J.)
- Department of Radiology, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.-A.C.); (I.-U.S.); Tel.: +82-32-280-5243 (Y.-A.C.); +82-32-280-5010 (I.-U.S.)
| | - In-Uk Song
- Department of Neurology, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Korea;
- Correspondence: (Y.-A.C.); (I.-U.S.); Tel.: +82-32-280-5243 (Y.-A.C.); +82-32-280-5010 (I.-U.S.)
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Dobbels B, Mertens G, Gilles A, Moyaert J, van de Berg R, Fransen E, Van de Heyning P, Van Rompaey V. The Virtual Morris Water Task in 64 Patients With Bilateral Vestibulopathy and the Impact of Hearing Status. Front Neurol 2020; 11:710. [PMID: 32849193 PMCID: PMC7431773 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have demonstrated spatial cognitive deficits in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). However, BVP patients frequently present with a concomitant sensorineural hearing loss, which is a well-established risk factor of cognitive impairment and incident dementia. Nonetheless, previous research on spatial cognitive deficits in BVP patients have not taken hearing status into account. Objective: This study aims to compare spatial cognition of BVP patients with healthy controls, with analyses adjusting for hearing status. Methods: Spatial cognition was assessed in 64 BVP patients and 46 healthy controls (HC) by use of the Virtual Morris Water Task (VMWT). All statistical analyses were adjusted for hearing (dys)function, sex, age, education, and computer use. Results: Overall, patients with BVP performed worse on all outcome measures of the VMWT. However, these differences between BVP patients and healthy controls were not statistically significant. Nonetheless, a statistically significant link between sensorineural hearing loss and spatial cognition was observed. The worse the hearing, the longer subjects took to reach the hidden platform in the VMWT. Furthermore, the worse the hearing, the less time was spent by the subjects in the correct platform quadrant during the probe trial of the VMWT. Conclusion: In this study, no difference was found regarding spatial cognition between BVP patients and healthy controls. However, a statistically significant link was observed between sensorineural hearing loss and spatial cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bieke Dobbels
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, Netherlands
| | - Griet Mertens
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Annick Gilles
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Julie Moyaert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Erik Fransen
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Van de Heyning
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
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Varriano B, Sulway S, Wetmore C, Dillon W, Misquitta K, Multani N, Anor C, Martinez M, Cacchione E, Rutka J, Tartaglia MC. Prevalence of Cognitive and Vestibular Impairment in Seniors Experiencing Falls. Can J Neurol Sci 2021; 48:245-52. [PMID: 32684199 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2020.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls are a growing concern in seniors (≥65 yrs). Cognitive impairment (CI) and vestibular impairment (VI) increase fall risk. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of CI and VI in seniors experiencing falls. METHODS Participants (≥65 yrs) with falls were recruited from Falls Prevention Programs (FPPs) and a Memory Clinic (MC). CI was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at FPPs. VI was assessed at an MC and FFPs using the Head Impulse- (video + bedside), Headshake-, Dix-Hallpike test, and test of sensory interaction in balance. Questionnaires included Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). RESULTS Of 41 participants (29 FPPs, 12 MC); mean age was 80.1 ± 7.1 years, and 58.5% were female. Overall, 82.9% had VI. At FPPs, 76.0% had CI, and 72.3% had CI + VI. Bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH) was more common than unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) (70.6% vs. 29.4%); p = 0.016. Dizziness Handicap (DHI) was not different between those with a VI (23.5 ± 23.9) versus without VI [PVI + no impairment] (10.0 ± 15.4); p = 0.160. Balance confidence (ABC) was lowest in VI but not significantly different between those with a VI (63.4 ± 27.3) versus without VI [PVI + no impairment] (85.0 ± 16.5); p = 0.053. CONCLUSIONS VI and CI are prevalent in seniors experiencing falls. For seniors with history of falls, both cognitive and vestibular functions should be considered in the assessment and subsequent treatment. Screening enables earlier detection, targeted interventions, and prevention, reducing the clinical and financial impact.
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Abstract
How the brain computes accurate estimates of our self-motion relative to the world and our orientation relative to gravity in order to ensure accurate perception and motor control is a fundamental neuroscientific question. Recent experiments have revealed that the vestibular system encodes this information during everyday activities using pathway-specific neural representations. Furthermore, new findings have established that vestibular signals are selectively combined with extravestibular information at the earliest stages of central vestibular processing in a manner that depends on the current behavioural goal. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the brain mechanisms that ensure accurate perception and behaviour during everyday activities and for our understanding of disorders of vestibular processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Cullen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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12
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Nakamagoe K, Yamada S, Kawakami R, Koganezawa T, Tamaoka A. Abnormal Saccadic Intrusions with Alzheimer's Disease in Darkness. Curr Alzheimer Res 2019; 16:293-301. [PMID: 30854969 DOI: 10.2174/1567205016666190311102130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Classified as saccadic intrusions, Square-Wave Jerks (SWJs) have been observed during Visual Fixation (VF) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, the pathological significance of this phenomenon remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The present study analyzed the characteristics of SWJs in patients with AD with their eyes open in the dark without VF. METHODS Fifteen patients with AD and 15 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were investigated and compared. Saccadic intrusions with and without VF were detected as SWJs and measured using an electronystagmogram. RESULTS No significant difference in the frequency of SWJs was observed between control and AD groups with VF, but significantly more SWJs were observed in the AD group than in the control group in the absence of VF (p<0.01). In the control group, the frequency of SWJs was significantly higher with VF as compared to without VF. Conversely, the frequency in the AD group was significantly higher without VF. Furthermore, a directly proportional relationship was observed between the frequency of SWJs and higher-order function (R>0.55) in the AD group. CONCLUSION SWJs without VF may have pathological significance in AD. In healthy individuals, SWJs are generated by VF and suppressed without VF. Conversely, in AD, SWJs are generated rather than suppressed in the absence of VF. These pathognomonic SWJs without VF also appear to be correlated with higher-order dysfunction, reflecting AD-related cortical damage. These findings suggest that pathological SWJs without VF observed in AD derive from cortical damage and may constitute an important marker of a higher-order function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyotaka Nakamagoe
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shiori Yamada
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Rio Kawakami
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tadachika Koganezawa
- Department of Physiology, Division of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akira Tamaoka
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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13
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Nakamagoe K, Yamada S, Kawakami R, Miyake Z, Tozaka N, Okune S, Takeda H, Koganezawa T, Tamaoka A. Vestibular dysfunction as cortical damage with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2019; 397:4-8. [PMID: 30551075 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortical damage in areas such as the frontal lobe is reported in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, aside from executive dysfunction, the pathological significance of this cortical damage has yet to be clarified. The present study investigated the effects of cortical damage on vestibular function in ALS. METHODS Subjects comprised 18 ALS patients and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Cold air caloric stimulation was performed in all subjects to induce vestibular nystagmus, which was analysed to evaluate vestibular function. Visual suppression testing to investigate the suppressive effects of visual stimuli on vestibular nystagmus was expressed as suppression rate (SR, %). Executive function was tested using the frontal assessment battery (FAB). RESULTS Suppression rate and FAB score were significantly lower in the ALS group than in the control group (p < 0.01 each). A positive correlation was also observed between SR and FAB score (R = 0.65, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION Visual suppression testing showed significant damage to the central nervous system vestibular control mechanisms, which utilize visual information in the ALS group and a positive correlation between SR and FAB score suggest a relationship between frontal lobe damage and impaired vestibular control. A simple vestibular function test may be useful as a tool to objectively monitor the progression of cerebral lesions in ALS.
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14
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Kamil RJ, Bilgel M, Wong DF, Resnick SM, Agrawal Y. Vestibular Function and Beta-Amyloid Deposition in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:408. [PMID: 30618715 PMCID: PMC6297212 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaque deposition is a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and occurs years before the onset of symptoms. Aβ plaque deposition has been shown to be present in ~30% of cognitively normal older adults using amyloid C-11 labeled Pittsburgh Compound B (11C-PiB) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. Prior studies have reported a link between reduced vestibular function and poorer cognition in healthy older adults. It is unknown whether vestibular impairment occurs in association with AD pathology among individuals in the preclinical phase of AD, which could contribute to the observed association between vestibular and cognitive function in healthy older adults. Using the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), we analyzed the association between a comprehensive set of vestibular function measures and PiB status in 98 healthy participants with a mean age of 77.3 (±8.26). We did not observe a significant relationship between any vestibular function measure and PiB status in cognitively-intact older adults in the BLSA. This finding suggests that Aβ deposition does not explain the observed association between reduced vestibular function and poorer cognition in healthy older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Kamil
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Murat Bilgel
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dean F Wong
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Susan M Resnick
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yuri Agrawal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Otology, Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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15
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Micarelli A, Viziano A, Della-morte D, Augimeri I, Alessandrini M. Degree of Functional Impairment Associated With Vestibular Hypofunction Among Older Adults With Cognitive Decline. Otol Neurotol 2018; 39:e392-400. [DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000001746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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16
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Wei EX, Oh ES, Harun A, Ehrenburg M, Agrawal Y. Saccular Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease Is Associated with Driving Difficulty. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2018; 44:294-302. [PMID: 29393172 PMCID: PMC5906193 DOI: 10.1159/000485123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience increased rates of vestibular loss. Recent studies suggest that saccular impairment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients is associated with impaired spatial cognitive function. However, the impact of saccular impairment on everyday behaviors that rely on spatial cognitive function is unknown. METHODS We recruited 60 patients (21 MCI and 39 AD) from an interdisciplinary Memory Clinic. Saccular function was measured, and a visuospatial questionnaire was administered to assess whether participants experienced impairments in terms of driving difficulty, losing objects, falls, and fear of falling. RESULTS In multiple logistic regression analyses, MCI and AD patients with bilateral saccular impairment had a significant, greater than 12-fold odds of driving difficulty (OR 12.1, 95% CI 1.2, 117.7) compared to MCI and AD patients with normal saccular function, and the association appears to be mediated by spatial cognition as measured by the Money Road Map Test. CONCLUSION This study suggests a novel link between saccular impairment and driving difficulty in MCI and AD patients and demonstrates that driving difficulty may be a real-world manifestation of impaired spatial cognition associated with saccular impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric X. Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Esther S. Oh
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aisha Harun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew Ehrenburg
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yuri Agrawal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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17
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Cronin T, Arshad Q, Seemungal BM. Vestibular Deficits in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Balance, Dizziness, and Spatial Disorientation. Front Neurol 2017; 8:538. [PMID: 29123498 PMCID: PMC5662638 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system consists of the peripheral vestibular organs in the inner ear and the associated extensive central nervous system projections—from the cerebellum and brainstem to the thalamic relays to cortical projections. This system is important for spatial orientation and balance, both of critical ecological importance, particularly for successful navigation in our environment. Balance disorders and spatial disorientation are common presenting features of neurodegenerative diseases; however, little is known regarding central vestibular processing in these diseases. A ubiquitous aspect of central vestibular processing is its promiscuity given that vestibular signals are commonly found in combination with other sensory signals. This review discusses how impaired central processing of vestibular signals—typically in combination with other sensory and motor systems—may account for the impaired balance and spatial disorientation in common neurodegenerative conditions. Such an understanding may provide for new diagnostic tests, potentially useful in detecting early disease while a mechanistic understanding of imbalance and spatial disorientation in these patients may enable a vestibular-targeted therapy for such problems in neurodegenerative diseases. Studies with state of the art central vestibular testing are now much needed to tackle this important topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Cronin
- Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Qadeer Arshad
- Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Barry M Seemungal
- Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent studies suggest an association between vestibular and cognitive function. The goal of the study was to investigate whether vestibular function was impaired in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with cognitively normal individuals. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Outpatient memory clinic and longitudinal observational study unit. PATIENTS Older individuals ≥55 years with MCI or AD. Age, sex, and education-matched normal controls were drawn from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). INTERVENTION Saccular and utricular function was assessed with cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (c- and oVEMPs) respectively, and horizontal semicircular canal function was assessed with video head impulse testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presence or absence of VEMP responses, VEMP amplitude, and vestibular ocular reflex (VOR) gain were measured. RESULTS Forty-seven individuals with cognitive impairment (MCI N = 15 and AD N = 32) underwent testing and were matched with 94 controls. In adjusted analyses, bilaterally absent cVEMPs were associated with an over three-fold odds of AD (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.33-8.91, p = 0.011). One microvolt increases in both cVEMP and oVEMP amplitudes were associated with decreased odds of AD (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09-0.93, p = 0.038 and OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.99, p = 0.036, respectively). There was no significant difference in VOR gain between the groups. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirm and extend emerging evidence of an association between vestibular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Further investigation is needed to determine the causal direction for the link between peripheral vestibular loss and cognitive impairment.
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19
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Nakamagoe K, Kadono K, Koganezawa T, Takiguchi M, Terada M, Yamamoto F, Moriyama T, Yanagiha K, Nohara S, Tozaka N, Miyake Z, Aizawa S, Furusho K, Tamaoka A. Vestibular Impairment in Frontotemporal Dementia Syndrome. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2016; 6:194-204. [PMID: 27350780 PMCID: PMC4913767 DOI: 10.1159/000445870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background No studies to date have attempted to evaluate frontotemporal lobar degeneration from the perspective of the vestibular system. Objective The present study examined vestibular function in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) clinical syndrome and evaluated whether vestibular disorders are involved in the clinical symptoms due to FTD. Methods Fourteen patients with FTD syndrome, as well as healthy elderly controls without dementia, were included in the present study. All subjects underwent vestibular function tests using electronystagmography, such as caloric tests and visual suppression (VS) tests, in which the induced caloric nystagmus was suppressed by visual stimuli. The association between clinical symptoms and vestibular function in the FTD syndrome group was further examined. Results In the FTD syndrome group, caloric nystagmus was not necessarily suppressed during VS tests. Furthermore, VS was observed to be significantly impaired in FTD syndrome patients with gait disturbance as compared to those without such disturbance. Conclusion The present study revealed that impairment of VS in patients with FTD results in an inability to regulate vestibular function by means of visual perception, regardless of multiple presumed neuropathological backgrounds. This could also be associated with gait disturbance in patients with FTD syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyotaka Nakamagoe
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kotarou Kadono
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tadachika Koganezawa
- Department of Physiology, Division of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mao Takiguchi
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Makoto Terada
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Fumiko Yamamoto
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Moriyama
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kumi Yanagiha
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Seitaro Nohara
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Naoki Tozaka
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Zenshi Miyake
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Aizawa
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kentaro Furusho
- Department of Neurology, Ryugasaki Saiseikai Hospital, Ryugasaki, Japan
| | - Akira Tamaoka
- Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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Harun A, Oh ES, Bigelow R, Agrawal Y. Vestibular function testing in individuals with cognitive impairment: our experience with sixty participants. Clin Otolaryngol 2016; 42:772-776. [PMID: 27289082 DOI: 10.1111/coa.12691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Harun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E S Oh
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R Bigelow
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Y Agrawal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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21
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Takamatsu Y, Koike W, Takenouchi T, Sugama S, Wei J, Waragai M, Sekiyama K, Hashimoto M. Protection against neurodegenerative disease on Earth and in space. NPJ Microgravity 2016; 2:16013. [PMID: 28725728 DOI: 10.1038/npjmgrav.2016.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
All living organisms have evolutionarily adapted themselves to the Earth’s gravity, and failure to adapt to gravity changes may lead to pathological conditions. This perspective may also apply to abnormal aging observed in bedridden elderly patients with aging-associated diseases such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Given that bedridden elderly patients are partially analogous to astronauts in that both cannot experience the beneficial effects of gravity on the skeletal system and may suffer from bone loss and muscle weakness, one may wonder whether there are gravity-related mechanisms underlying diseases among the elderly. In contrast to numerous studies of the relevance of microgravity in skeletal disorders, little attention has been paid to neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to discuss the possible relevance of microgravity in these diseases. We particularly noted a proteomics paper showing that levels of hippocampal proteins, including β-synuclein and carboxyl-terminal ubiquitin hydrolase L1, which have been linked to familial neurodegenerative diseases, were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of mice subjected to hindlimb suspension, a model of microgravity. We suggest that microgravity-induced neurodegeneration may be further exacerbated by diabetes and other factors. On the basis of this view, prevention of neurodegenerative diseases through ‘anti-diabetes’ and ‘hypergravity’ approaches may be important as a common therapeutic approach on Earth and in space. Collectively, neurodegenerative diseases and space medicine may be linked to each other more strongly than previously thought.
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