Combined linear and angular head movements are integral components of our natural head movements. The vestibular sensory apparatus in the labyrinth of the inner ear, which comprises three semicircular canals and two otoliths acts as an inertial guidance system during head motion. The vestibular sensors mediate the angular and linear vestibulo-ocular reflexive eye movements imperative to stabilise vision during the head motions. However, it is unclear how these responses to sudden linear and angu ....Combined linear and angular head movements are integral components of our natural head movements. The vestibular sensory apparatus in the labyrinth of the inner ear, which comprises three semicircular canals and two otoliths acts as an inertial guidance system during head motion. The vestibular sensors mediate the angular and linear vestibulo-ocular reflexive eye movements imperative to stabilise vision during the head motions. However, it is unclear how these responses to sudden linear and angular motion in three dimensions are combined and processed. Diseases of the inner ear can produce incapacitating visual and balance disturbances, yet the normal function of some of the inner ears receptors, in particular the otoliths, cannot be easily tested. Clinical evidence has shown that patients with incapacitating attacks of vertigo can have impairment of either or both the semicircular canals and the otoliths. The aim of this project is to measure quantitatively the semicircular canal-otolith response to transient, high-acceleration combined linear-angular head movements to find a reliable way to test the otolith function. Based on physiological principles and my preliminary experiment, we plan to use an off-axis head rotation procedure, a three-dimensional eye movement recordings and vector analysis technique to assess the linear and angular vestibulo-ocular reflex response from the otoliths and semicircular canals in the labyrinth. The practical significance of answers to these questions is that they will characterise the combined linear and angular vestibulo-ocular reflex responses that stabilise vision during transient head movements. It will provide us with a greater understanding of the visual disturbance that patients experienced during these kinds of head movements following vestibular disease or surgery. Measurement of the linear vestibulo-ocular reflex may also provide a diagnostic test of otolith function clinically in disease states.Read moreRead less
Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Physiology, Pathology And Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
A sensation of movement from the inner ear is used to stabilise vision during head movements. Without it, every time you walk, run, or drive on a bumpy road, the world would appear to bounce. It can be debilitating when this sense doesn't work due to various diseases. This research examines how this sense works normally and the factors important for self-repair after injury. This work will also develop training exercises using a device for take-home balance rehabilitation.
Centre Of Research Excellence - Better Health Outcomes For Compensable Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
Many people do not recover after a road traffic injury but develop chronic pain, disability and poor mental health. Health outcomes are worse for people who lodge a claim for injury compensation and/or engage a lawyer. The CRE will extend research and implementation beyond health services to the compensation and legal systems. Results will improve health outcomes advancing knowledge of system processes mediating recovery and implementing interventions that promote not hinder recovery.
A New Mouse Model That Determines The Effects Of A Unilateral Vestibular Prosthesis On Vestibular Plasticity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,678.00
Summary
Much like a cochlear implant restores auditory function, a vestibular prosthesis restores balance function. It is not clear whether the limited results from vestibular prostheses is due the device not stimulating one component (the otoliths) of the vestibular system essential for self-repair. We will test mutant mice that lack otoliths to determine the importance of stimulating the otoliths in restoring function. This work will shape the future direction of prosthesis development.
Optimising Balance Function In Vestibular Schwannoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,817.00
Summary
This project examines human balance function in subjects with vestibular Schwannoma, a slow growing tumor that presents with hearing loss and imbalance. We will measure inner ear balance function using 2 new non invasive tests called the video head impulse and the vestibular evoked myogenic potential. We will seek test parameters that predict tumor growth, explore reasons for post surgical imbalance, develop and validate home-based rehabilitation methods to optimise balance after surgery.
Development Of A Take-home Rehabilitation Device That Improves Visual Stability And Balance In Patients With Peripheral Vestibular Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$789,377.00
Summary
The balance system senses head motion via the balance organs, one in each inner ear, and stabilises vision during head movements. Without it, every time you walk, run, or drive on a bumpy road, the world appears to bounce. We have developed a device shown to reliably 'train up' the balance system. Our aim is to develop this device further for effective take-home rehabilitation.
Designing An Evidence-based Intervention To Improve Australian General Practitioners' Management Of Work-related Mental Health Claims
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Workplace-related mental health claims (MHCs) are an increasing reason for obtaining injury compensation in Australia. The aim of this study is to examine at a national level the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of GPs, workers’ compensation agents and mental health claimants in relation to MHC management. The outcomes from this study include a theoretically-informed and feasible intervention design that should improve the management of MHCs and increase rates of return to work.
The Role Of Vestibular Efferents In The Mammalian Vestibulo-ocular Reflex.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,341.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to determine how a group of nerve fibres that travel from the brain to the balance organ alter balance function in mammals. Balance function in mice will be tested under conditions that modify the balance system response. Results will be compared between normal mice and mutant mice in which these nerves do not function. This work will determine how these nerves alter balance function and whether they are a viable target for future patient treatments.
Dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance affect nearly half the population by the age of 60 and balance-related falls, especially in the elderly, are a serious health concern. Surveys of primary care doctors have shown that dizziness and vertigo are as prevalent as hypertension and angina, and approximately 40% of the population experience dizziness severe enough to seek medical attention. Unfortunately, most symptoms are not relieved by currently available medical treatment. There is, however, a remar ....Dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance affect nearly half the population by the age of 60 and balance-related falls, especially in the elderly, are a serious health concern. Surveys of primary care doctors have shown that dizziness and vertigo are as prevalent as hypertension and angina, and approximately 40% of the population experience dizziness severe enough to seek medical attention. Unfortunately, most symptoms are not relieved by currently available medical treatment. There is, however, a remarkable hidden reserve of 'self-repair' in the balance system that can be triggered under certain conditions. We call this process 'vestibular compensation' and if we can understand those conditions and discover the means by which this reserve affects the nervous system, we may be able harness its power to alleviate the all distressing symptoms of imbalance. Perhaps we may even be able to apply these principles to other critical systems that may need repair. We propose to look at a key region in the central nervous system that is responsible for processing balance signals and may be very important in 'vestibular compensation'. We will try to activate this recovery process under controlled conditions so that we can understand the changes that occur. Specifically we will examine the role of vestibular (balance) neurons in the central nervous system that appear to be modified following trauma of the inner ear balance organs. We will use our new recording techniques to examine these vestibular neurons to see how their intrinsic properties may change and what external or internal factors influences this change. Our aim is to understand what factors promote and what factors inhibit full recovery.Read moreRead less
Our vestibular system provides us with the important sense of balance. When it fails we suffer debiltating bouts of vertigo and dizziness. A great deal is known about how balance signals are sent from the inner ear to our brains, but virtually nothing is known about the important signals the brain sends to the inner ear. In this study we will use a new perparation develped in our laboratory to examine how these essential brain signals control the function of our balance organs.