Assessment of Vestibular Function and Balance in Humans

本建议的重点是前庭器官的功能和相关的平衡受损问题。前庭器官包含帮助我们保持平衡的受体。它们的临床评估很困难，因为它们很小且位于颅骨深处。在之前NH和MRC的支持下，我已经能够开发一系列新的测试来评估前庭器官的功能，这些测试具有重要的临床影响。其中一项发现清楚地表明，前庭功能随着年龄的增长而衰退，而且开始得相对较早。这项建议是建立在先前申请的结果之上的。计划进行两种主要类型的调查。在其中一项研究中，将使用一种激活前庭器官（局部颅骨振动）的新技术来研究接收前庭器官信号（诱发电位）的大脑区域。这将是第一次有可能研究完整人类的平衡器官和大脑皮层之间的联系。我将把这项技术应用于前庭功能紊乱的患者，以提高我们对大脑如何适应这些器官疾病的认识。在本研究的第二部分，将进行一系列记录，测量正常志愿者和一些常见疾病状态影响平衡的患者在各种条件下的摇摆。这将揭示影响正常平衡功能的因素以及为什么平衡在这些疾病中受到干扰的新信息。

This proposal focuses upon the function of the vestibular apparatus and the related problem of impaired balance. The vestibular apparatus contains receptors which help us to maintain balance. Their clinical assessment is difficult because they are small and lie deep within the skull. With previous NH and MRC support, I have been able to develop a series of new tests to assess the function of the vestibular apparatus and these are having significant clincal impact. Amongst the findings has been a clear demonstration that vestibular function declines with age, starting relatively early. This proposal builds upon the findings of the previous application. Two main types of investigations are planned. In one a new technique of activating the vestibular apparatus (localised skull vibration) will be used to study the brain areas that receive its signals (evoked potentials). This will be the first time that it has been possible to study the connections between the balance organs and the cortex of the brain in intact humans. I will apply the technique to patients with disturbed vestibular function to improve our knowledge of how the brain adapts to disease of these organs. In the second part of this study, a series of recordings will be done measuring sway under a variety of conditions both in normal volunteers and in patients with some common disease states affecting balance. This should reveal new information about both the factors that affect normal balance function and why balance is disturbed in these diseases.