Recent data from our laboratory demonstrated that, when rats are raised in a hypergravity environment, the sensitivity of the vestibulo-cardiovascular reflex decreases. In a hypergravity environment, static input to the vestibular system is increased; however, because of decreased daily activity, phasic input to the vestibular system may decrease. This decrease may induce use-dependent plastici...

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. Balanc...

BACKGROUND Vestibular disorders are commonly characterized by a combination of perceptual, ocular motor, postural, and vegetative manifestations, which cause the symptoms of vertigo, nystagmus, ataxia, and nausea. Multisensory convergence and numerous polysynaptic pathways link the bilaterally organized central vestibular network with limbic, hippocampal, cerebellar, and non-vestibular cortex s...

INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease is a slowly progressive disease that causes irreversible loss of renal function and is considered a public health problem worldwide. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the vestibular behavior in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing renal transplantation. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed. Thirty patients were evaluated, 33.3% femal...

The cortical processing of vestibular information is not hierarchically organized as the processing of signals in the visual and auditory modalities. Anatomic and electrophysiological studies in the monkey revealed the existence of multiple interconnected areas in which vestibular signals converge with visual and/or somatosensory inputs. Although recent functional imaging studies using caloric ...

Knowledge of the pathophysiology of vestibular disorders is essential for a logical accurate evaluation and management of the vertiginous patient. The diagnosis of vestibular system disease, particularly of peripheral disorders, depends primarily on a carefully obtained history with some assistance from tests of hearing function and vestibular sensitivity (caloric, positional tests). Radiologic...

A growing body of literature suggests the inner ear vestibular system has a substantial impact on cognitive function. The strongest evidence exists in connecting vestibular function to the cognitive domain of visuospatial ability, which includes spatial memory, navigation, mental rotation, and mental representation of three-dimensional space. Substantial evidence also exists suggesting the vest...