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Vestibular reflex changes following aminoglycoside induced ototoxicity
The Laryngoscope
|May 1, 1987
Summary
Aminoglycoside antibiotics significantly impair vestibular system function, particularly the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). While high-frequency VOR gains recover over time, VOR time constants show limited improvement, indicating persistent damage.
Area of Science:
- Oto-neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Vestibular Physiology
Background:
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics are crucial for treating severe bacterial infections.
- Vestibular system damage is a known, yet not fully understood, side effect of aminoglycoside therapy.
- The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is essential for maintaining gaze stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the effects of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity on vestibular function.
- To assess the recovery patterns of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) parameters following aminoglycoside treatment.
Main Methods:
- Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function was measured in three subjects receiving aminoglycoside therapy.
- Sinusoidal and pseudorandom rotational stimuli were used to assess VOR gain and time constants.
- Measurements were taken at baseline, during therapy, and up to 579 days post-administration.
Main Results:
- Aminoglycoside therapy caused a rapid decline in VOR time and gain constants.
- VOR function decline was more pronounced at lower stimulus frequencies.
- High-frequency VOR gains recovered to normal levels within a year, but time constants remained significantly impaired.
Conclusions:
- Aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity severely impacts VOR function.
- Recovery of VOR function is frequency-dependent, with high frequencies showing better recovery.
- Persistent deficits in VOR time constants suggest long-term vestibular damage from aminoglycosides.