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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
05:02
Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction
Published on: August 30, 2019
Evidence for interacting cortical control of vestibular function and spatial representation in man
J Ventre-Dominey1, N Nighoghossian, P Denise
1INSERM and CNRS-Cognitive Sciences Institute-UMR 5015, 67 Bd Pinel, 69500, Bron, France. ventre@isc.cnrs.fr
Neuropsychologia
|October 24, 2003
Summary
Cortical lesions can disrupt spatial representation and vestibular function. Specific deficits in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) were observed, particularly in patients with right-sided lesions and left hemi-neglect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vestibular System
- Spatial Cognition
Background:
- Vestibular system plays a crucial role in spatial orientation.
- Cortical lesions can lead to sensory and motor deficits.
- The relationship between cortical function and vestibular processing is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between spatial representation deficits and vestibular function after cortical lesions.
- To analyze vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) behavior in patients with unilateral cortical damage.
Main Methods:
- Studied 14 patients with unilateral cortical lesions (occipito-temporo-parietal junction) and 8 healthy controls.
- Assessed VOR during sinusoidal rotation and acceleration/deceleration steps in darkness.
- Calculated VOR parameters: gain, bias, time constant, and phase.
Main Results:
- Cortical lesions caused significant VOR asymmetry.
- Directional preponderance of VOR gain to the contralesional side during sinusoidal rotation.
- VOR bias, time constant, and nystagmus frequency showed directional preponderance to the lesioned side, most pronounced in patients with hemi-neglect.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a cortical influence on vestibular function in humans.
- This influence is linked to the mechanisms of spatial representation.
- Vestibular deficits, particularly VOR asymmetry, correlate with spatial representation impairments following cortical lesions.
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