Research in Vestibular Science

Case Report

Spontaneous Recovery of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Gain after Bilateral Complete Vestibular Loss Following Head Injury: Ga Young Park, Eun Wook Chung, Jong Sei Kim, Won Ho Chung; Res Vestib Sci. 2012;11(4):146-153.

Abstract PDF: Dizziness is a frequent complication of head injury and objective evidence of vestibular dysfunction in the dizzy patient following head injury has been reported in literatures. However, there is no report about bilateral spontaneous recovery of caloric response after complete loss of bilateral vestibular function following head injury. A 27-year-old male patient who presented with continuous dizziness and disequilibrium following head injury was diagnosed as diffuse axonal injury after brain magnetic resonance image and bilateral complete loss of vestibular function after caloric and rotary chair test. He showed gradual improvement of dizziness, vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and left caloric response at 2 months after vestibular exercise. After another 4 months, his caloric function was fully recovered, and dizziness disappeared at 16 months after the onset of dizziness. We present this case with reviews of previous literatures about dizziness following head injury and diffuse axonal injury.

Central Vertigo in Non-vascular Disease: Sang Ho Hwang, Keun Su Kim; Res Vestib Sci. 2010;9:128-132.

Abstract PDF: Vertigo, defined as an illusion f the movement, always indicates an imbalance within the vestibular system. The same sensation can result from lesions in such diverse locations as the inner ear, the visual-vestibular interaction centers in the brainstem and cerebellum, or the subjective sensation pathways of the thalamus or cortex. While vascular disorders are most common causes of central vertigo, a wide variety of diseases can be causes of non-vascular central vertigo including tumor, multiple sclerosis, cerebellar ataxia syndromes, epilepsy, and migraine. The clinical manifestation and differential diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia, vestibular epilepsy and vestibular migraine will be discussed in detail.

Original Article

A Promotive Effect of Low Level Laser on Hair Cell Viability in Postnatal Organotypic Culture of Rat Utricles: Sun Young Oh, Kwang Dong Choi, Jae Moon Kim, Jei Kim, Seong Ho Park, Ji Soo Kim; J Korean Bal Soc. 2006;5(1):35-43.

Abstract PDF: Background
and Objectives: To culture and maintain mammalian hair cells is still a big challenge. In this study, long-term organotypic culture of rat utricular maculae was established to study vestibular hair cell. The effects of low level laser on hair cell viability in postnatal organotypic culture of rat utricles were investigated. Materials and Method: Uticular explants were prepared from postnatal 2 to 7 rats and cultured. To improve hair cell survival, the utricles were irradiated daily with low level laser. Whole-mount utricles were stained with FM1-43 which is known to be an efficient marker to identify live hair cells in cultured tissues. Such cells visualized directly through tissue culture dish with cover glass bottom by Confocal laser scanning microscope at specific time points.
Results
The explanted utricular hair cells were cultured for up to 31 days in in vitro culture system. In low level laser irradiation group, utricular hair cells were more survived at 24 DIV and 31 DIV.
Conclusion
These results suggest that low level laser promotes hair cell viability in utricular explants. Key Words : Organotypic culture, Low level laser, FM 1-43, Utricle

Review

Comparison of Vestibule-ocular Reflex of Eccentric Rotation with Centric Rotation in Normal Subjects: Byung Han Cho, Seung Yeun Jang, Ho Suk Choi, Seung Chul Lee, Kyu Sung Kim; J Korean Bal Soc. 2004;3(2):351-335.

Abstract PDF: Background
and Objectives : Conventional vestibular rotation testing with the head centered on the axis stimulates the semicircular canals evoking compensatory eye movements. By placing subjects off from the axis of rotation, the otolithic organ may also be simultaneously stimulated by additional linear acceleration forces. In the present study, we compared the rotation with subjects placed on axis to those placed in an eccentric position. Materials and Method : In the eccentric rotation, the head of subject was facing outward and placed eccentrically for 33cm on naso-occipital axis. Slow harmonic acceleration test and velocity step test were performed.
Results
: The sinusoidal eccentric rotation at 0.32, 0.64 Hz produced a significantly higher vestibulo-ocular reflex gain than did on axis rotation. In velocity step test, initial slow component velocity was significantly higher in eccentric rotation than in centric rotation.
Conclusion
: These finding suggest that the gain enhancement due to eccentric rotation is a result of tangentiallinear acceleration, probably sensed by the otolithic organ. This study raises the possibility of using eccentric rotation for the diagnosis of the patients with otolithic dysfunction.

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