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Published on: August 30, 2019
Cerebral plasticity in acute vestibular deficit.
Marco Alessandrini1, Bianca Napolitano, Ernesto Bruno
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Summary
Acute vestibular deficit from vestibular neuritis temporarily reduces blood flow in the non-dominant cerebral cortex. This brain change may be a defense mechanism to lessen vertigo symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebral blood flow studies
- Vestibular system disorders
Background:
- Vestibular neuritis is a peripheral vestibular lesion causing vertigo.
- The brain's response to acute vestibular deficit is not fully understood.
- Cerebral plasticity may play a role in symptom adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of acute vestibular deficit on cerebral cortex blood flow.
- To correlate cerebral blood flow changes with clinical signs and symptoms of vestibular neuritis.
- To explore the potential role of cerebral plasticity in vertigo symptom management.
Main Methods:
- Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to assess brain blood flow.
- Eight patients with vestibular neuritis underwent two SPECT scans within one month.
- Analysis focused on changes in cortical blood flow, particularly in the temporal-frontal regions.
Main Results:
- Seven out of eight patients showed reduced blood flow in the right temporal-frontal cortex.
- This hypoperfusion occurred in the non-dominant hemisphere, irrespective of lesion side.
- Reduced blood flow and vertigo symptoms showed reversibility in some patients after one month.
Conclusions:
- Acute vestibular deficit can cause transient hypoperfusion in the non-dominant cerebral cortex.
- This reduction in cortical blood flow may represent a cerebral plasticity mechanism.
- The observed brain changes potentially serve to mitigate vertigo symptoms.
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