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Wiboonsaksakul KP, Leavitt Brown OME, Cullen KE. Restoring vestibular function during natural self-motion: Progress and challenges. eLife 2024; 13:e99516. [PMID: 39688096 DOI: 10.7554/elife.99516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 12/05/2024] [Indexed: 12/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system is integral to behavior; the loss of peripheral vestibular function leads to disabling consequences, such as blurred vision, dizziness, and unstable posture, severely limiting activities of daily living. Fortunately, the vestibular system's well-defined peripheral structure and well-understood encoding strategies offer unique opportunities for developing sensory prostheses to restore vestibular function. While these devices show promising results in both animal models and implanted patients, substantial room for improvement remains. Research from an engineering perspective has largely focused on optimizing stimulation protocol to improve outcomes. However, this approach has often been pursued in isolation from research in neuroscience that has enriched our understanding of neural responses at the synaptic, cellular, and circuit levels. Accordingly, this review bridges the domains of neuroscience and engineering to consider recent progress and challenges in vestibular prosthesis development. We advocate for interdisciplinary approaches that leverage studies of neural circuits at the population level, especially in light of recent advancement in large-scale recording technology, to identify impediments still to overcome and to develop more naturalistic stimulation strategies. Fully integrating neuroscience and engineering in the context of prosthesis development will help advance the field forward and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kantapon Pum Wiboonsaksakul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Olivia M E Leavitt Brown
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Kathleen E Cullen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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Loos E, Volpe B, Vermorken BL, van Boxel SCJ, Devocht EMJ, Stultiens JJA, Postma AA, Guinand N, Pérez-Fornos A, Desloovere C, Verhaert N, van de Berg R. Vestibular electrode position stability over time. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024:10.1007/s00405-024-09098-7. [PMID: 39609302 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-09098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2024] [Accepted: 11/11/2024] [Indexed: 11/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In vestibular implants (VI), the electrode position is thought to be important for optimal neural activation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of the vestibular electrode position over time. METHODS Seven patients implanted with a VI were followed for one year. When possible, the fenestrations of the semicircular canals were kept very small (approximately 0.8 mm) to stabilize the electrode lead. Additionally, the electrodes were fixed at their fenestration sites using bone cement. A temporal bone CT scan was performed intraoperatively, and one week and one year postoperatively. In one patient reliable analysis of the intraoperative CT scan was not possible due to a technical error. A displacement of the vestibular electrodes of more than 0.5 mm was considered significant. RESULTS Fourteen out of 18 electrodes did not show a significant displacement between the intraoperative scan and the first postoperative scan. In the remaining four electrodes, a displacement of ≥ 0.5 mm occurred (mean 0.54 mm, range 0.50-0.58 mm). These four electrodes were found in the two first implanted patients. In both cases, the intraoperative CT scan had a slice thickness of 0.5 mm and showed severe scattering. This might imply that the measured displacement was (partially) related to a higher measurement error. None of the vestibular electrodes migrated outside of the ampulla. No displacement was observed in any of the vestibular electrodes between the first postoperative scan and the one-year follow-up scan. CONCLUSION The current surgical technique seems to securely stabilize the vestibular VI electrodes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Loos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
| | - Benjamin Volpe
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bernd L Vermorken
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stan C J van Boxel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elke M J Devocht
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Joost J A Stultiens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alida A Postma
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angelica Pérez-Fornos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian Desloovere
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Verhaert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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van Boxel SCJ, Vermorken BL, Volpe B, Guinand N, Perez-Fornos A, Devocht EMJ, van de Berg R. The vestibular implant: effects of stimulation parameters on the electrically-evoked vestibulo-ocular reflex. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1483067. [PMID: 39574507 PMCID: PMC11579865 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1483067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 11/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The vestibular implant is a neuroprosthesis which offers a potential treatment approach for patients suffering from vestibulopathy. Investigating the influence of electrical stimulation parameters is essential to improve the vestibular implant response. Optimization of the response focuses on the electrically evoked vestibulo-ocular reflex. It aims to facilitate high peak eye velocities and adequate alignment of the eye movement responses. In this study, the basic stimulation parameters of the vestibular implant were tested for their effect on the electrically evoked vestibulo-ocular reflex. Methods Four stimulation parameters, including the stimulation amplitude, phase duration, stimulus rate and speed of change of stimulation, were systematically tested in a cohort of nine subjects with a vestibulo-cochlear implant. These parameters were tested to evaluate their effect on fitting settings (i.e., threshold of activation, upper comfortable limit and dynamic range) as well as on the electrically evoked vestibulo-ocular reflex (peak eye velocity and alignment). Results It was confirmed that, in addition to current amplitude, the peak eye velocity of the response can be increased by increasing the phase duration and pulse rate. Both parameters have little effect on the alignment of the eye response. However, a longer phase duration decreased the range between the threshold of activation and the upper comfortable limit of the electrical stimulation (i.e., dynamic range). Furthermore, these results show that next to the amplitude of the stimulation, the speed of change in stimulation has a determinative positive effect on the peak eye velocity. Conclusion The observations in this study imply that the vestibular implant response, in terms of peak eye velocity, can be optimized with a higher pulse rate and longer phase duration. However, this comes at a trade-off between the dynamic range and power consumption. This study provides essential insights for fitting strategies in future vestibular implant care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stan C. J. van Boxel
- Division of Vestibular Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Bernd L. Vermorken
- Division of Vestibular Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Benjamin Volpe
- Division of Vestibular Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Perez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elke M. J. Devocht
- Division of Vestibular Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Vestibular Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Loos E, Stultiens JJA, Volpe B, Vermorken BL, Van Boxel SCJ, Devocht EMJ, van Hoof M, Postma AA, Guinand N, Pérez-Fornos A, Van Rompaey V, Denys S, Desloovere C, Verhaert N, van de Berg R. Optimizing vestibular implant electrode positioning using fluoroscopy and intraoperative CT imaging. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 281:3433-3441. [PMID: 38180608 PMCID: PMC11211140 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08428-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Vestibular implant electrode positioning close to the afferent nerve fibers is considered to be key for effective and selective electrical stimulation. However, accurate positioning of vestibular implant electrodes inside the semicircular canal ampullae is challenging due to the inability to visualize the target during the surgical procedure. This study investigates the accuracy of a new surgical protocol with real-time fluoroscopy and intraoperative CT imaging, which facilitates electrode positioning during vestibular implant surgery. METHODS Single-center case-controlled cohort study with a historic control group at a tertiary referral center. Patients were implanted with a vestibulocochlear implant, using a combination of intraoperative fluoroscopy and cone beam CT imaging. The control group consisted of five patients who were previously implanted with the former implant prototype, without the use of intraoperative imaging. Electrode positioning was analyzed postoperatively with a high-resolution CT scan using 3D slicer software. The result was defined as accurate if the electrode position was within 1.5 mm of the center of the ampulla. RESULTS With the new imaging protocol, all electrodes could be positioned within a 1.5 mm range of the center of the ampulla. The accuracy was significantly higher in the study group with intraoperative imaging (21/21 electrodes) compared to the control group without intraoperative imaging (10/15 electrodes), (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION The combined use of intraoperative fluoroscopy and CT imaging during vestibular implantation can improve the accuracy of electrode positioning. This might lead to better vestibular implant performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Loos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Joost J A Stultiens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin Volpe
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bernd L Vermorken
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stan C J Van Boxel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elke M J Devocht
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc van Hoof
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alinda A Postma
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angelica Pérez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Sam Denys
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christian Desloovere
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Verhaert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Takeda N, Matsuda K, Fukuda J, Sato G, Uno A, Kitahara T. Vestibular compensation: Neural mechanisms and clinical implications for the treatment of vertigo. Auris Nasus Larynx 2024; 51:328-336. [PMID: 38114342 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
After unilateral peripheral vestibular lesions, the neural activity of neurons in the ipsi-lesional medial vestibular nucleus (ipsi-MVe) are markedly decreased, resulting in static and dynamic asymmetries of the vestibulo-ocular and vestibulo-spinal reflexes. Consequently, static vestibular symptoms such as spontaneous nystagmus and postural deviation and dynamic vestibular symptoms such as oscillopsia and swaying gait are induced. However, these behavioral asymmetries gradually recover after the lesion. Progressive balance restoration is termed vestibular compensation, which is divided into two phases: static and dynamic. Static vestibular compensation is further divided into initial and late processes. In the initial process of static vestibular compensation after unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) in rats, plastic changes in the cerebello-vestibular and vestibular commissural inhibitory pathways suppress neurons in the contra-lesional MVe (contra-MVe), resulting in the restoration of symmetrical resting activity of MVe neurons on both sides at low levels. The declining frequency of spontaneous nystagmus after UL is an index of the initial process, and short-term administration of diazepam, a GABAA receptor agonist, has been shown to accelerate the initial process in rats. Accordingly, short-term administration of diazepam is recommended for the treatment of acute vertigo in patients with unilateral vestibular dysfunction. In the late process of static vestibular compensation after UL in rats, the resting activity of ipsi-MVe neurons gradually recovers due to changes in cell membrane properties, resulting in the reinforcement of balanced intervestibular nuclear activities to nearly normal levels without the suppression of contra-MVe neurons. The declining number of MK801-induced Fos-positive neurons in contra-MVe after UL is an index of the late process, and long-term administration of betahistine, a histamine H3 receptor antagonist, has been shown to accelerate the late process in rats. Accordingly, long-term administration of betahistine is recommended for the treatment of subacute vertigo in patients who were not compensated for unilateral vestibular dysfunction. In the process of dynamic vestibular compensation after UL, the sensitivity of ipsi-MVe neurons to head velocity and acceleration is restored due to synaptic changes such as long-term potentiation and sprouting of commissures, resulting in the restoration of the dynamic vestibulo-ocular and vestibulo-spinal reflexes. To facilitate dynamic vestibular compensation, early ambulation and subsequent vestibular rehabilitation exercise are recommended for the treatment of chronic vertigo in patients with uncompensated unilateral vestibular dysfunction. Although vestibular compensation after bilateral vestibular loss is not expected, vestibular rehabilitation with a sensory-substitution strategy can improve imbalance in patients with bilateral vestibular lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Takeda
- Department of Otolaryngology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Kazunori Matsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Junya Fukuda
- Department of Otolaryngology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Go Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Uno
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kitahara
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
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Vermorken BL, Volpe B, van Boxel SCJ, Stultiens JJA, van Hoof M, Marcellis R, Loos E, van Soest A, McCrum C, Meijer K, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, van Rompaey V, Devocht E, van de Berg R. The VertiGO! Trial protocol: A prospective, single-center, patient-blinded study to evaluate efficacy and safety of prolonged daily stimulation with a multichannel vestibulocochlear implant prototype in bilateral vestibulopathy patients. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301032. [PMID: 38547135 PMCID: PMC10977751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A combined vestibular (VI) and cochlear implant (CI) device, also known as the vestibulocochlear implant (VCI), was previously developed to restore both vestibular and auditory function. A new refined prototype is currently being investigated. This prototype allows for concurrent multichannel vestibular and cochlear stimulation. Although recent studies showed that VCI stimulation enables compensatory eye, body and neck movements, the constraints in these acute study designs prevent them from creating more general statements over time. Moreover, the clinical relevance of potential VI and CI interactions is not yet studied. The VertiGO! Trial aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of prolonged daily motion modulated stimulation with a multichannel VCI prototype. METHODS A single-center clinical trial will be carried out to evaluate prolonged VCI stimulation, assess general safety and explore interactions between the CI and VI. A single-blind randomized controlled crossover design will be implemented to evaluate the efficacy of three types of stimulation. Furthermore, this study will provide a proof-of-concept for a VI rehabilitation program. A total of minimum eight, with a maximum of 13, participants suffering from bilateral vestibulopathy and severe sensorineural hearing loss in the ear to implant will be included and followed over a five-year period. Efficacy will be evaluated by collecting functional (i.e. image stabilization) and more fundamental (i.e. vestibulo-ocular reflexes, self-motion perception) outcomes. Hearing performance with a VCI and patient-reported outcomes will be included as well. DISCUSSION The proposed schedule of fitting, stimulation and outcome testing allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility and long-term safety of a multichannel VCI prototype. This design will give insights into vestibular and hearing performance during VCI stimulation. Results will also provide insights into the expected daily benefit of prolonged VCI stimulation, paving the way for cost-effectiveness analyses and a more comprehensive clinical implementation of vestibulocochlear stimulation in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04918745. Registered 28 April 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd L. Vermorken
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin Volpe
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stan C. J. van Boxel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Joost J. A. Stultiens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc van Hoof
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rik Marcellis
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Elke Loos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ExpORL), KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander van Soest
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Chris McCrum
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Kenneth Meijer
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Elke Devocht
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Kunelskaya NL, Baybakova EV, Zaoeva ZO, Guseva AL, Chugunova MA, Manaenkova EA, Vinogradova MV. [Rehabilitation in bilateral vestibulopathy: trends and perspectives]. Vestn Otorinolaringol 2024; 89:59-65. [PMID: 38805465 DOI: 10.17116/otorino20248902159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
A review of the literature on rehabilitation methods for bilateral vestibulopathy is presented using RSCI, Scopus and PubMed databases. The principles and effectiveness of physical vestibular rehabilitation, vestibular implants, galvanic vestibular stimulation, and biofeedback-based sensory substitution and augmentation systems are described. The advantages and disadvantages of each method and perspectives for their improvement are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- N L Kunelskaya
- Sverzhevsky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Moscow, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - E V Baybakova
- Sverzhevsky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Z O Zaoeva
- Sverzhevsky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Moscow, Russia
| | - A L Guseva
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - M A Chugunova
- Sverzhevsky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Manaenkova
- Sverzhevsky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Moscow, Russia
| | - M V Vinogradova
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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van Stiphout L, Rolfes J, Waardenburg S, Kimman M, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, Van Rompaey V, van de Berg R. Construct validity and reliability of the Bilateral Vestibulopathy Questionnaire (BVQ). Front Neurol 2023; 14:1221037. [PMID: 38020641 PMCID: PMC10646559 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1221037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Bilateral Vestibulopathy Questionnaire (BVQ) is a recently developed 54-item Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) that evaluates the clinically important symptoms of bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) and its impact on daily life. This study aimed to assess the construct validity and reliability of the BVQ in a large BVP cohort. Methods Patients diagnosed with BVP were asked to complete a set of questionnaires, including the BVQ, the EuroQol-5D-5L, the Health Utilities Index, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Oscillopsia Severity Questionnaire. The construct validity of the BVQ was evaluated by confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses (CFA and EFA), followed by hypotheses testing and known groups validity. Structural properties were explored for each individual item. Reliability was assessed by testing the internal consistency of the BVQ constructs (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs)]. Results A total of 148 patients with BVP (50% women, mean age 66 years) completed the set of questionnaires. The CFA did not show a satisfactory model in the original BVQ. However, the EFA showed a four-factor solution with 20 Likert-scale items related to oscillopsia, imbalance, emotion, and cognition. The succeeding CFA provided evidence for construct validity and an acceptable model of fit. Hypothesis testing confirmed that this shortened version validly measures the constructs to be measured. Statistically significant differences in scores between known groups were found, providing further support for good construct validity. The structural properties were acceptable. Cronbach's alpha confirmed good internal consistency for the four constructs, ranging from 0.80 to 0.89. The ICCs of the 20 Likert-scale items and four visual analog scale (VAS) items were interpreted as good (range 0.76-0.93). Conclusion This study showed evidence of good construct validity of the new shortened version of the BVQ, consisting of four constructs with a total of 20 Likert-scale items and four VAS items. The final 24-item BVQ proved to be a reliable and valid multi-item PROM that captures the clinically important symptoms of BVP and evaluates its impact on daily life. Consequently, the BVQ enables the gathering of high-level evidence of treatment effectiveness in a systematic and quantitative manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa van Stiphout
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jeremy Rolfes
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Sophie Waardenburg
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology (KEMTA), Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Merel Kimman
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology (KEMTA), Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Stultiens JJA, Lewis RF, Phillips JO, Boutabla A, Della Santina CC, Glueckert R, van de Berg R. The Next Challenges of Vestibular Implantation in Humans. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2023; 24:401-412. [PMID: 37516679 PMCID: PMC10504197 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-023-00906-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with bilateral vestibulopathy suffer from a variety of complaints, leading to a high individual and social burden. Available treatments aim to alleviate the impact of this loss and improve compensatory strategies. Early experiments with electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve in combination with knowledge gained by cochlear implant research, have inspired the development of a vestibular neuroprosthesis that can provide the missing vestibular input. The feasibility of this concept was first demonstrated in animals and later in humans. Currently, several research groups around the world are investigating prototype vestibular implants, in the form of vestibular implants as well as combined cochlear and vestibular implants. The aim of this review is to convey the presentations and discussions from the identically named symposium that was held during the 2021 MidWinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, with researchers involved in the development of vestibular implants targeting the ampullary nerves. Substantial advancements in the development have been made. Yet, research and development processes face several challenges to improve this neuroprosthesis. These include, but are not limited to, optimization of the electrical stimulation profile, refining the surgical implantation procedure, preserving residual labyrinthine functions including hearing, as well as gaining regulatory approval and establishing a clinical care infrastructure similar to what exists for cochlear implants. It is believed by the authors that overcoming these challenges will accelerate the development and increase the impact of a clinically applicable vestibular implant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Johannes Antonius Stultiens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, 6202 AZ, The Netherlands.
| | - Richard F Lewis
- Department of Otolaryngology and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James O Phillips
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anissa Boutabla
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charles C Della Santina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, 6202 AZ, The Netherlands
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10
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Soto E, Pliego A, Vega R. Vestibular prosthesis: from basic research to clinics. Front Integr Neurosci 2023; 17:1161860. [PMID: 37265514 PMCID: PMC10230114 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1161860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Balance disorders are highly prevalent worldwide, causing substantial disability with high personal and socioeconomic impact. The prognosis in many of these patients is poor, and rehabilitation programs provide little help in many cases. This medical problem can be addressed using microelectronics by combining the highly successful cochlear implant experience to produce a vestibular prosthesis, using the technical advances in micro gyroscopes and micro accelerometers, which are the electronic equivalents of the semicircular canals (SCC) and the otolithic organs. Reaching this technological milestone fostered the possibility of using these electronic devices to substitute the vestibular function, mainly for visual stability and posture, in case of damage to the vestibular endorgans. The development of implantable and non-implantable devices showed diverse outcomes when considering the integrity of the vestibular pathways, the device parameters (current intensity, impedance, and waveform), and the targeted physiological function (balance and gaze). In this review, we will examine the development and testing of various prototypes of the vestibular implant (VI). The insight raised by examining the state-of-the-art vestibular prosthesis will facilitate the development of new device-development strategies and discuss the feasibility of complex combinations of implantable devices for disorders that directly affect balance and motor performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Soto
- Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Instituto de Fisiología, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Adriana Pliego
- Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Instituto de Fisiología, Puebla, Mexico
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEMéx), Facultad de Medicina, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Rosario Vega
- Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Instituto de Fisiología, Puebla, Mexico
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Starkov D, Pleshkov M, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, Ranieri M, Cavuscens S, Stultiens JJA, Devocht EMJ, Kingma H, van de Berg R. Optimized Signal Analysis to Quantify the Non-Linear Behaviour of the Electrically Evoked Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Patients with a Vestibular Implant. Audiol Neurootol 2022; 27:458-468. [PMID: 35817001 PMCID: PMC9808707 DOI: 10.1159/000525577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Different eye movement analysis algorithms are used in vestibular implant research to quantify the electrically evoked vestibulo-ocular reflex (eVOR). Often, standard techniques are used as applied for quantification of the natural VOR in healthy subjects and patients with vestibular loss. However, in previous research, it was observed that the morphology of the VOR and eVOR may differ substantially. In this study, it was investigated if the analysis techniques for eVOR need to be adapted to optimize a truthful quantification of the eVOR (VOR gain, orientation of the VOR axis, asymmetry, and phase shift). METHODS "Natural" VOR responses were obtained in six age-matched healthy subjects, and eVOR responses were obtained in eight bilateral-vestibulopathy patients fitted with a vestibular implant. Three conditions were tested: "nVOR" 1-Hz sinusoidal whole-body rotations of healthy subjects in a rotatory chair, "eVOR" 1-Hz sinusoidal electrical vestibular implant stimulation without whole-body rotations in bilateral-vestibulopathy patients, and "dVOR" 1-Hz sinusoidal whole-body rotations in bilateral-vestibulopathy patients using the chair-mounted gyroscope output to drive the electrical vestibular implant stimulation (therefore also in sync 1 Hz sinusoidal). VOR outcomes were determined from the obtained VOR responses, using three different eye movement analysis paradigms: (1) peak eye velocity detection using the raw eye traces; (2) peak eye velocity detection using full-cycle sine fitting of eye traces; (3) peak eye velocity detection using half-cycle sine fitting of eye traces. RESULTS The type of eye movement analysis algorithm significantly influenced VOR outcomes, especially regarding the VOR gain and asymmetry of the eVOR in bilateral-vestibulopathy patients fitted with a vestibular implant. Full-cycle fitting lowered VOR gain in the eVOR condition (mean difference: 0.14 ± 0.06 95% CI, p = 0.018). Half-cycle fitting lowered VOR gain in the dVOR condition (mean difference: 0.08 ± 0.04 95% CI, p = 0.009). In the eVOR condition, half-cycle fitting was able to demonstrate the asymmetry between the excitatory and inhibitory phases of stimulation in comparison with the full-cycle fitting (mean difference: 0.19 ± 0.12 95% CI, p = 0.024). The VOR axis and phase shift did not differ significantly between eye movement analysis algorithms. In healthy subjects, no clinically significant effect of eye movement analysis algorithms on VOR outcomes was observed. CONCLUSION For the analysis of the eVOR, the excitatory and inhibitory phases of stimulation should be analysed separately due to the inherent asymmetry of the eVOR. A half-cycle fitting method can be used as a more accurate alternative for the analysis of the full-cycle traces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii Starkov
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation,*Dmitrii Starkov,
| | - Maksim Pleshkov
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Nils Guinand
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joost Johannes Antonius Stultiens
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elke Maria Johanna Devocht
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
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12
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任 鹏, 张 青, 韩 鹏, 徐 颂, 徐 创, 李 宗, 杨 军. [The working principle and prototype construction of the Chinese vestibular prosthesis]. LIN CHUANG ER BI YAN HOU TOU JING WAI KE ZA ZHI = JOURNAL OF CLINICAL OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, HEAD, AND NECK SURGERY 2022; 36:690-697. [PMID: 36036070 PMCID: PMC10127630 DOI: 10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective:To complete the working principle design and prototype construction of the Chinese multichannel vestibular prosthesis (CMVP) with independent intellectual property rights, and verify its working performance, so as to lay the foundation for the clinical promotion and application of CMVP. Methods:On the basis of previous research, the working principle of CMVP was constructed based on the information encoding principle of vestibular nervous system, and the circuit was designed according to the principle. Then, appropriate electronic components and software systems were selected to construct a CMVP prototype according to the design. Finally, the input and output characteristics of the CMVP prototype were verified through the performance test. Results:In the present study, a block diagram of the working principle of the CMVP was successfully designed and drawn, and the working principle was explained in detail according to the block diagram. Further, the circuit diagram of the CMVP was designed and drawn based on the working principle, then the selected electronic components and software systems were combined one by one to complete the construction of a prototype. Finally, the performance test for the prototype was completed, which showed that all stimulus electrodes of the prototype could output biphasic pulse current, and the frequency of biphasic pulse current was modulated by the spatial rotation data input sensed by a motion sensor. Conclusion:The working principle and circuit design of the CMVP are reasonable; the CMVP prototype in China has been successfully constructed; the spatial rotation motion sensing input and the modulated pulse current output are stable and reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- 鹏宇 任
- 西安交通大学第二附属医院医学人工智能研究院(西安,710016)Institute of Medical Artificial Intelligence, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- 西安交通大学第二附属医院神经外科Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University
| | - 青 张
- 上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院耳鼻咽喉-头颈外科 上海交通大学医学院耳科学研究所 上海耳鼻疾病转化医学重点实验室Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Ear Institute; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose diseases
| | - 鹏 韩
- 西安交通大学医学院第一附属医院耳鼻咽喉-头颈外科Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University
| | - 颂华 徐
- 西安交通大学第二附属医院医学人工智能研究院(西安,710016)Institute of Medical Artificial Intelligence, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - 创新 徐
- 西安交通大学第二附属医院医学人工智能研究院(西安,710016)Institute of Medical Artificial Intelligence, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - 宗芳 李
- 西安交通大学第二附属医院医学人工智能研究院(西安,710016)Institute of Medical Artificial Intelligence, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - 军 杨
- 上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院耳鼻咽喉-头颈外科 上海交通大学医学院耳科学研究所 上海耳鼻疾病转化医学重点实验室Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Ear Institute; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose diseases
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Deng J, Zhu Q, Zhang K, Xie D, Wu W. Vestibular function in children with cochlear implant: Impact and evaluation. Front Neurol 2022; 13:938751. [PMID: 36090862 PMCID: PMC9449973 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.938751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last 30 years, cochlear implant (CI) has been dedicated to improving the rehabilitation of hearing impairments. However, CI has shown potential detrimental effects on vestibular function. For children, due to atypical symptoms and difficulty in cooperating with vestibular function tests, systematic and objective assessments of vestibular function with CI have been conducted sparsely. This review focuses on the impact of vestibular function in children with CI and summarized the evaluation of vestibular function in children. In addition, some recommended strategies are summarized and proposed.
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Maudoux A, Vitry S, El-Amraoui A. Vestibular Deficits in Deafness: Clinical Presentation, Animal Modeling, and Treatment Solutions. Front Neurol 2022; 13:816534. [PMID: 35444606 PMCID: PMC9013928 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.816534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The inner ear is responsible for both hearing and balance. These functions are dependent on the correct functioning of mechanosensitive hair cells, which convert sound- and motion-induced stimuli into electrical signals conveyed to the brain. During evolution of the inner ear, the major changes occurred in the hearing organ, whereas the structure of the vestibular organs remained constant in all vertebrates over the same period. Vestibular deficits are highly prevalent in humans, due to multiple intersecting causes: genetics, environmental factors, ototoxic drugs, infections and aging. Studies of deafness genes associated with balance deficits and their corresponding animal models have shed light on the development and function of these two sensory systems. Bilateral vestibular deficits often impair individual postural control, gaze stabilization, locomotion and spatial orientation. The resulting dizziness, vertigo, and/or falls (frequent in elderly populations) greatly affect patient quality of life. In the absence of treatment, prosthetic devices, such as vestibular implants, providing information about the direction, amplitude and velocity of body movements, are being developed and have given promising results in animal models and humans. Novel methods and techniques have led to major progress in gene therapies targeting the inner ear (gene supplementation and gene editing), 3D inner ear organoids and reprograming protocols for generating hair cell-like cells. These rapid advances in multiscale approaches covering basic research, clinical diagnostics and therapies are fostering interdisciplinary research to develop personalized treatments for vestibular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Maudoux
- Unit Progressive Sensory Disorders, Pathophysiology and Therapy, Institut Pasteur, Institut de l'Audition, Université de Paris, INSERM-UMRS1120, Paris, France
- Center for Balance Evaluation in Children (EFEE), Otolaryngology Department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Vitry
- Unit Progressive Sensory Disorders, Pathophysiology and Therapy, Institut Pasteur, Institut de l'Audition, Université de Paris, INSERM-UMRS1120, Paris, France
| | - Aziz El-Amraoui
- Unit Progressive Sensory Disorders, Pathophysiology and Therapy, Institut Pasteur, Institut de l'Audition, Université de Paris, INSERM-UMRS1120, Paris, France
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van Stiphout L, Pleshkov M, Lucieer F, Dobbels B, Mavrodiev V, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, Widdershoven J, Strupp M, Van Rompaey V, van de Berg R. Patterns of Vestibular Impairment in Bilateral Vestibulopathy and Its Relation to Etiology. Front Neurol 2022; 13:856472. [PMID: 35386413 PMCID: PMC8979031 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.856472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate (1) the patterns of vestibular impairment in bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) and subsequently, the implications regarding patient eligibility for vestibular implantation, and (2) whether this pattern and severity of vestibular impairment is etiology dependent. Methods A total of one hundred and seventy-three subjects from three tertiary referral centers in Europe were diagnosed with BVP according to the Bárány Society diagnostic criteria. The subjects underwent vestibular testing such as the caloric test, torsion swing test, video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) in horizontal and vertical planes, and cervical and/or ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (c- and oVEMPs). The etiologies were split into idiopathic, genetic, ototoxicity, infectious, Menière's Disease, (head)trauma, auto-immune, neurodegenerative, congenital, and mixed etiology. Results The caloric test and horizontal vHIT more often indicated horizontal semicircular canal impairment than the torsion swing test. The vHIT results showed significantly higher gains for both anterior canals compared with the horizontal and posterior canals (p < 0.001). The rates of bilaterally absent oVEMP responses were higher compared to the bilaterally absent cVEMP responses (p = 0.010). A total of fifty-four percent of the patients diagnosed with BVP without missing data met all three Bárány Society diagnostic test criteria, whereas 76% of the patients were eligible for implantation according to the vestibular implantation criteria. Regarding etiology, only horizontal vHIT results were significantly lower for trauma, neurodegenerative, and genetic disorders, whereas the horizontal vHIT results were significantly higher for Menière's Disease, infectious and idiopathic BVP. The exploration with hierarchical cluster analysis showed no significant association between etiology and patterns of vestibular impairment. Conclusion This study showed that caloric testing and vHIT seem to be more sensitive for measuring vestibular impairment, whereas the torsion swing test is more suited for measuring residual vestibular function. In addition, no striking patterns of vestibular impairment in relation to etiology were found. Nevertheless, it was demonstrated that although the implantation criteria are stricter compared with the Bárány Society diagnostic criteria, still, 76% of patients with BVP were eligible for implantation based on the vestibular test criteria. It is advised to carefully examine every patient for their overall pattern of vestibular impairment in order to make well-informed and personalized therapeutic decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa van Stiphout
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Lisa van Stiphout
| | - Maksim Pleshkov
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Maksim Pleshkov
| | - Florence Lucieer
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Bieke Dobbels
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vergil Mavrodiev
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angelica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Josine Widdershoven
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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van Stiphout L, Hossein I, Kimman M, Whitney SL, Ayiotis A, Strupp M, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, Widdershoven J, Ramos-Macías Á, Van Rompaey V, van de Berg R. Development and Content Validity of the Bilateral Vestibulopathy Questionnaire. Front Neurol 2022; 13:852048. [PMID: 35370880 PMCID: PMC8968143 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.852048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To date, the burden and severity of the full spectrum of bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) symptoms has not yet been measured in a standardized manner. Since therapeutic interventions aiming to improve BVP symptoms are emerging, the need for a new standardized assessment tool that encompasses the specific aspects of BVP arises. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a multi-item Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) that captures the clinically important symptoms of BVP and assesses its impact on daily life. Methods The development of the Bilateral Vestibulopathy Questionnaire (BVQ) consisted of two phases: (I) initial item generation and (II) face and content validity testing. Items were derived from a literature review and individual semi-structured interviews focusing on the full spectrum of reported BVP symptoms (I). Subsequently (IIa), individual patient interviews were conducted using “thinking aloud” and concurrent verbal probing techniques to assess the comprehensibility of the instructions, questions and response options, and the relevance, missing domains, or missing items. Interviews continued until saturation of input was reached. Finally, international experts with experience in the field of the physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms of BVP participated in an online focus group to assess the relevance and comprehensiveness of the BVQ (IIb). Results The BVQ consisted of two sections. The first section included 50 items scored on a six-point Likert scale arranged into seven constructs (i.e., imbalance, oscillopsia, other physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, emotional symptoms, limitations and behavioral changes and social life). The second section consisted of four items, scored on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100, to inquire about limitations in daily life, perceived health and expectations regarding future recovery. Interviews with BVP patients [n = 8, 50% female, mean age 56 years (range 24–88 years)] and the expert meeting confirmed face and content validity of the developed BVQ. Conclusion The BVQ, which was developed to assess the spectrum of BVP symptoms and its impact on daily life, proved to have good face and content validity. It can be used to characterize current self-reported symptoms and disability and to evaluate symptom burden before and after therapeutic interventions in future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa van Stiphout
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Lisa van Stiphout
| | - Israt Hossein
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Merel Kimman
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Susan L. Whitney
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andrianna Ayiotis
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Vertigo, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Josine Widdershoven
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ángel Ramos-Macías
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands
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17
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Herssens N, How D, van de Berg R, McCrum C. Falls Among People With Bilateral Vestibulopathy: A Review of Causes, Incidence, Injuries, and Methods. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022; 148:187-192. [PMID: 34989780 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2021.3673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance People with bilateral vestibulopathy experience severe balance and mobility issues. Fear and anxiety are associated with reduced activity, which can further affect balance and fall risk. Understanding and intervening on falls in this population is essential. The aims of this narrative review are to provide an overview of the current knowledge and applied methods on fall incidence, causes, and injuries in bilateral vestibulopathy. Observations Eleven articles reporting falls incidence in people with bilateral vestibulopathy were deemed eligible, including 3 prospective and 8 retrospective studies, with a total of 359 participants, of whom 149 (42%) fell during the assessed period. When reported, the most common perceived causes of falls were loss of balance, darkness, and uneven ground. Information on sustained injuries was limited, with bruises and scrapes being the most common, and only 4 fractures were reported. As most studies included falls as a secondary, descriptive outcome measure, fall data obtained using best practice guidelines were lacking. Only 6 studies reported their definition of a fall, of which 2 studies explicitly reported the way participants were asked about their fall status. Only 3 studies performed a prospective daily fall assessment using monthly fall diaries (a recommended practice), whereas the remaining studies retrospectively collected fall-related data through questionnaires or interviews. While most studies reported the number of people who did and did not fall, the number of total falls in individual studies was lacking. Conclusions and Relevance The findings from this review suggest that falls in people with bilateral vestibulopathy are common but remain an understudied consequence of the disease. Larger prospective studies that follow best practice guidelines for fall data collection with the aim of obtaining and reporting fall data are required to improve current fall risk assessments and interventions in bilateral vestibulopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan Herssens
- Space Medicine Team (HRE-OM), European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy/MOVANT, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Daniella How
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Münster University, Münster, Germany
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Christopher McCrum
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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18
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van Stiphout L, Lucieer F, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, van de Berg M, Van Rompaey V, Widdershoven J, Kingma H, Joore M, van de Berg R. Bilateral vestibulopathy patients' perspectives on vestibular implant treatment: a qualitative study. J Neurol 2021; 269:5249-5257. [PMID: 34894283 PMCID: PMC9467961 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to explore expectations of patients with bilateral vestibulopathy regarding vestibular implant treatment. This could advance the definition of recommendations for future core outcome sets of vestibular implantation and help to determine on which characteristics of bilateral vestibulopathy future vestibular implant research should focus. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 patients diagnosed with bilateral vestibulopathy at Maastricht UMC + . Interviews followed a semi-structured interview guide and were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed thematically by two independent researchers. A consensus meeting took place to produce a joint interpretation for greater dimensionality and to confirm key themes. Results Overall, patient expectations centralized around three key themes: (physical) symptom reduction, functions and activities, and quality of life. These themes appeared to be interrelated. Patient expectations focused on the activity walking (in a straight line), reducing the symptom oscillopsia and being able to live the life they had before bilateral vestibulopathy developed. In general, patients indicated to be satisfied with small improvements. Conclusion This study demonstrated that patient expectations regarding a vestibular implant focus on three key themes: symptom reduction, functions and activities, and quality of life. These themes closely match the functional improvements shown in recent vestibular implantation research. The results of this study provide a clear guideline from the patient perspective on which characteristics of bilateral vestibulopathy, future vestibular implant research should focus. Trial registration NL52768.068.15/METC Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00415-021-10920-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa van Stiphout
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Florence Lucieer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurice van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Josine Widdershoven
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Herman Kingma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Manuela Joore
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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19
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van Stiphout L, Lucieer F, Pleshkov M, Van Rompaey V, Widdershoven J, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, Kingma H, van de Berg R. Bilateral vestibulopathy decreases self-motion perception. J Neurol 2021; 269:5216-5228. [PMID: 34263351 PMCID: PMC9467944 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10695-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective Current diagnostic criteria for bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) primarily involve measurements of vestibular reflexes. Perceptual self-motion thresholds however, are not routinely measured and their clinical value in this specific population is not yet fully determined. Objectives of this study were (1) to compare perceptual self-motion thresholds between BV patients and control subjects, and (2) to explore patterns of self-motion perception performance and vestibular function in BV patients. Methods Thirty-seven BV patients and 34 control subjects were included in this study. Perceptual self-motion thresholds were measured in both groups using a CAREN platform (Motek Medical BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Vestibular function was evaluated (only in BV patients) by the caloric test, torsion swing test, video head impulse test of all semicircular canals, and cervical- and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials. Differences in thresholds between both groups were analyzed. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to visualize patterns between self-motion perception and vestibular function within the group of BV patients. Results Perceptual self-motion thresholds were significantly higher in BV patients compared to control subjects, regarding nearly all rotations and translations (depending on the age group) (p ≤ 0.001). Cluster analysis showed that within the group of BV patients, higher perceptual self-motion thresholds were generally associated with lower vestibular test results (significant for yaw rotation, caloric test, torsion swing test, and video head impulse test (p ≤ 0.001)). Conclusion Self-motion perception is significantly decreased in BV patients compared to control subjects regarding nearly all rotations and translations. Furthermore, decreased self-motion perception is generally associated with lower residual vestibular function in BV patients. Trial registration Trial registration number NL52768.068.15/METC Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00415-021-10695-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa van Stiphout
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Florence Lucieer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maksim Pleshkov
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Josine Widdershoven
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
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20
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Hochmair I. Translational research around five categories of CI. Acta Otolaryngol 2021; 141:178-184. [PMID: 33818266 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2021.1888516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Five categories of cochlear implants are introduced: The 'classic CI', the 'combined CI' - which can be combining a CI based on electric stimulation with acoustic stimulation (EAS) or with mechanical stimulation (EMS) or with electrical stimulation of the vestibular system (VICI) -, the 'individualised CI', the 'augmented CI' and the 'totally implantable CI'. The translational research activities leading to and within these categories have been, are and will be numerous and are the subject of the compendium for which this paper is the concluding chapter. Early translational research has resulted in the 'classic CI' in 1994. From then on translational research enabled the developments respectively the new indications and reimbursement of CI-systems for bilateral CIs, CI in single sided deafness, the auditory brainstem implant, speech coding and signal processing advances, electrophysiologic measurements for evaluation of cochlear health, all within the classic CI category. Starting points for the four newer categories of CI are either ideas of professionals treating hearing loss or of CI developers. The translational research performed also triggered research that led and leads to improved understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Hochmair
- MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete Gesellschaft m.b.H., Innsbruck, Austria
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21
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Long-Term Lateral Semicircular Canal Function in Children with Cochlear Implants: Results of Video Head Impulse Test. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2021; 11:12-19. [PMID: 34542446 PMCID: PMC8314328 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe11010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In children with profound deafness, bilateral cochlear implant (CI) is an effective, established procedure. However, its safety on vestibular function has recently been debated. The goal of this study is to evaluate the long-term lateral semicircular canal high-frequency vestibulo-oculomotor reflex (LSC HF VOR) in children with CI by video head impulse testing (vHIT). This is a cross-sectional study assessing a cohort of children who received either a unilateral (12) or a bilateral (12) cochlear implant (CI), compared with a control group of 12 normal-hearing children. No significant LSC HF VOR gain difference was found between CI users and controls. In the unilaterally implanted group, the LSC HF VOR gain measured in the “CI-ON” condition was significantly higher than in the “CI-OFF” condition, both in the implanted and in the non-implanted ear. In the bilaterally implanted group, the difference between the two conditions was not significant. Our results do not show any impairment of LSC HF VOR function in children with CI compared to normal-hearing children in the long-term period. This suggests that both unilateral and simultaneous/sequential bilateral CI are procedures that do not impair HF LSC long-term function when analyzed by vHIT.
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22
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Lucieer FMP, Van Hecke R, van Stiphout L, Duijn S, Perez-Fornos A, Guinand N, Van Rompaey V, Kingma H, Joore M, van de Berg R. Bilateral vestibulopathy: beyond imbalance and oscillopsia. J Neurol 2020; 267:241-255. [PMID: 33030608 PMCID: PMC7718190 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10243-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Objective To optimize the current diagnostic and treatment procedures for patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BV), this study aimed to determine the complete spectrum of symptoms associated with BV. Method A prospective mixed-method study design was used. Qualitative data were collected by performing semi-structured interviews about symptoms, context, and behavior. The interviews were recorded and transcribed until no new information was obtained. Transcriptions were analyzed in consensus by two independent researchers. In comparison to the qualitative results, quantitative data were collected using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a health-related quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Results Eighteen interviews were transcribed. Reported symptoms were divided into fourteen physical symptoms, four cognitive symptoms, and six emotions. Symptoms increased in many situations, such as darkness (100%), uneven ground (61%), cycling (94%) or driving a car (56%). These symptoms associated with BV often resulted in behavioral changes: activities were performed more slowly, with greater attention, or were avoided. The DHI showed a mean score of severe handicap (54.67). The HADS questionnaire showed on average normal results (anxiety = 7.67, depression = 6.22). The EQ-5D-5L demonstrated a mean index value of 0.680, which is lower compared to the Dutch age-adjusted reference 0.839 (60–70 years). Conclusion BV frequently leads to physical, cognitive, and emotional complaints, which often results in a diminished quality of life. Importantly, this wide range of symptoms is currently underrated in literature and should be taken into consideration during the development of candidacy criteria and/or outcome measures for therapeutic interventions such as the vestibular implant. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-10243-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M P Lucieer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - R Van Hecke
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - L van Stiphout
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - S Duijn
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A Perez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences,, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - N Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences,, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - V Van Rompaey
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - H Kingma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Joore
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI) of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University (FHML), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - R van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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23
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Simultaneous activation of multiple vestibular pathways upon electrical stimulation of semicircular canal afferents. J Neurol 2020; 267:273-284. [PMID: 32778921 PMCID: PMC7718208 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10120-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose Vestibular implants seem to be a promising treatment for patients suffering from severe bilateral vestibulopathy. To optimize outcomes, we need to investigate how, and to which extent, the different vestibular pathways are activated. Here we characterized the simultaneous responses to electrical stimuli of three different vestibular pathways. Methods Three vestibular implant recipients were included. First, activation thresholds and amplitude growth functions of electrically evoked vestibulo-ocular reflexes (eVOR), cervical myogenic potentials (ecVEMPs) and vestibular percepts (vestibulo-thalamo-cortical, VTC) were recorded upon stimulation with single, biphasic current pulses (200 µs/phase) delivered through five different vestibular electrodes. Latencies of eVOR and ecVEMPs were also characterized. Then we compared the amplitude growth functions of the three pathways using different stimulation profiles (1-pulse, 200 µs/phase; 1-pulse, 50 µs/phase; 4-pulses, 50 µs/phase, 1600 pulses-per-second) in one patient (two electrodes). Results The median latencies of the eVOR and ecVEMPs were 8 ms (8–9 ms) and 10.2 ms (9.6–11.8 ms), respectively. While the amplitude of eVOR and ecVEMP responses increased with increasing stimulation current, the VTC pathway showed a different, step-like behavior. In this study, the 200 µs/phase paradigm appeared to give the best balance to enhance responses at lower stimulation currents. Conclusions This study is a first attempt to evaluate the simultaneous activation of different vestibular pathways. However, this issue deserves further and more detailed investigation to determine the actual possibility of selective stimulation of a given pathway, as well as the functional impact of the contribution of each pathway to the overall rehabilitation process.
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24
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Martin EC, Leue C, Delespaul P, Peeters F, Janssen AML, Lousberg R, Erdkamp A, van de Weijer S, Widdershoven J, Blom H, Bruintjes T, Zwergal A, Grill E, Guinand N, Perez-Fornos A, van de Berg MR, Stultiens JJA, Kingma H, van de Berg R. Introducing the DizzyQuest: an app-based diary for vestibular disorders. J Neurol 2020; 267:3-14. [PMID: 32712867 PMCID: PMC7718207 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10092-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Most questionnaires currently used for assessing symptomatology of vestibular disorders are retrospective, inducing recall bias and lowering ecological validity. An app-based diary, administered multiple times in daily life, could increase the accuracy and ecological validity of symptom measurement. The objective of this study was to introduce a new experience sampling method (ESM) based vestibular diary app (DizzyQuest), evaluate response rates, and to provide examples of DizzyQuest outcome measures which can be used in future research. Methods Sixty-three patients diagnosed with a vestibular disorder were included. The DizzyQuest consisted of four questionnaires. The morning- and evening-questionnaires were administered once each day, the within-day-questionnaire 10 times a day using a semi-random time schedule, and the attack questionnaire could be completed after the occurrence of a vertigo or dizziness attack. Data were collected for 4 weeks. Response rates and loss-to-follow-up were determined. Reported symptoms in the within-day-questionnaire were compared within and between patients and subgroups of patients with different vestibular disorders. Results Fifty-one patients completed the study period. Average response rates were significantly higher than the desired response rate of > 50% (p < 0.001). The attack-questionnaire was used 159 times. A variety of neuro-otological symptoms and different disease profiles were demonstrated between patients and subgroups of patients with different vestibular disorders. Conclusion The DizzyQuest is able to capture vestibular symptoms within their psychosocial context in daily life, with little recall bias and high ecological validity. The DizzyQuest reached the desired response rates and showed different disease profiles between subgroups of patients with different vestibular disorders. This is the first time ESM was used to assess daily symptoms and quality of life in vestibular disorders, showing that it might be a useful tool in this population. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-10092-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Martin
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - C Leue
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - P Delespaul
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - F Peeters
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A M L Janssen
- Department of ENT/Audiology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHENS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Methodology and Statistics, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - R Lousberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A Erdkamp
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - S van de Weijer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J Widdershoven
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - H Blom
- Department of ENT, HagaZiekenhuis, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - T Bruintjes
- Apeldoorns duizeligheidscentrum, Gelre ziekenhuizen, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
| | - A Zwergal
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - E Grill
- Department of Medical Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - N Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - A Perez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M R van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J J A Stultiens
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - H Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - R van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russia.
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Crétallaz C, Boutabla A, Cavuscens S, Ranieri M, Nguyen TAK, Kingma H, Van De Berg R, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A. Influence of systematic variations of the stimulation profile on responses evoked with a vestibular implant prototype in humans. J Neural Eng 2020; 17:036027. [PMID: 32213673 PMCID: PMC8630998 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab8342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the impact of different electrical stimulation profiles in human recipients of the Geneva-Maastricht vestibular implant prototypes. APPROACH Four implanted patients were recruited for this study. We investigated the relative efficacy of systematic variations of the electrical stimulus profile (phase duration, pulse rate, baseline level, modulation depth) in evoking vestibulo-ocular (eVOR) and perceptual responses. MAIN RESULTS Shorter phase durations and, to a lesser extent, slower pulse rates allowed maximizing the electrical dynamic range available for eliciting a wider range of intensities of vestibular percepts. When either the phase duration or the pulse rate was held constant, current modulation depth was the factor that had the most significant impact on peak velocity of the eVOR. SIGNIFICANCE Our results identified important parametric variations that influence the measured responses. Furthermore, we observed that not all vestibular pathways seem equally sensitive to the electrical stimulus when the electrodes are placed in the semicircular canals and monopolar stimulation is used. This opens the door to evaluating new stimulation strategies for a vestibular implant, and suggests the possibility of selectively activating one vestibular pathway or the other in order to optimize rehabilitation outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Crétallaz
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Haxby F, Akrami M, Zamani R. Finding a Balance: A Systematic Review of the Biomechanical Effects of Vestibular Prostheses on Stability in Humans. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2020; 5:E23. [PMID: 33467239 PMCID: PMC7739312 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk5020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and is responsible for maintaining balance in humans. Bilateral vestibular dysfunction (BVD) is a disorder that adversely affects vestibular function. This results in symptoms such as postural imbalance and vertigo, increasing the incidence of falls and worsening quality of life. Current therapeutic options are often ineffective, with a focus on symptom management. Artificial stimulation of the vestibular system, via a vestibular prosthesis, is a technique being explored to restore vestibular function. This review systematically searched for literature that reported the effect of artificial vestibular stimulation on human behaviours related to balance, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique. A total of 21 papers matched the inclusion criteria of the literature search conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases (February 2019). The populations for these studies included both healthy adults and patients with BVD. In every paper, artificial vestibular stimulation caused an improvement in certain behaviours related to balance, although the extent of the effect varied greatly. Various behaviours were measured such as the vestibulo-ocular reflex, postural sway and certain gait characteristics. Two classes of prosthesis were evaluated and both showed a significant improvement in at least one aspect of balance-related behaviour in every paper included. No adverse effects were reported for prostheses using noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation, however, prosthetic implantation sometimes caused hearing or vestibular loss. Significant heterogeneity in methodology, study population and disease aetiology were observed. The present study confirms the feasibility of vestibular implants in humans for restoring balance in controlled conditions, but more research needs to be conducted to determine their effects on balance in non-clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Haxby
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK; (F.H.); (R.Z.)
| | - Mohammad Akrami
- Department of Engineering, College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Reza Zamani
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK; (F.H.); (R.Z.)
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van de Berg R, Ramos A, van Rompaey V, Bisdorff A, Perez-Fornos A, Rubinstein JT, Phillips JO, Strupp M, Della Santina CC, Guinand N. The vestibular implant: Opinion statement on implantation criteria for research. J Vestib Res 2020; 30:213-223. [PMID: 32651339 PMCID: PMC9249290 DOI: 10.3233/ves-200701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This opinion statement proposes a set of candidacy criteria for vestibular implantation of adult patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) in a research setting. The criteria include disabling chronic symptoms like postural imbalance, unsteadiness of gait and/or head movement-induced oscillopsia, combined with objective signs of reduced or absent vestibular function in both ears. These signs include abnormal test results recorded during head impulses (video head impulse test or scleral coil technique), bithermal caloric testing and rotatory chair testing (sinusoidal stimulation of 0.1 Hz). Vestibular implant (VI) implantation criteria are not the same as diagnostic criteria for bilateral vestibulopathy. The major difference between VI-implantation criteria and the approved diagnostic criteria for BVP are that all included vestibular tests of semicircular canal function (head impulse test, caloric test, and rotatory chair test) need to show significant impairments of vestibular function in the implantation criteria. For this, a two-step paradigm was developed. First, at least one of the vestibular tests needs to fulfill stringent criteria, close to those for BVP. If this is applicable, then the other vestibular tests have to fulfill a second set of criteria which are less stringent than the original criteria for BVP. If the VI-implantation is intended to excite the utricle and/or saccule (otolith stimulation), responses to cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials must be absent in addition to the above mentioned abnormalities of semicircular canal function. Finally, requirements for safe and potentially effective stimulation should be met, including implanting patients with BVP of peripheral origin only, and assessing possible medical and psychiatric contraindications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Angel Ramos
- Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery. Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil de Gran Canaria. Department of Otolaryngology. Las Palmas University. (ULPGC). Psychoacoustic & Equilibrium Laboratory. Las Palmas University (ULPGC)
| | - Vincent van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Bisdorff
- Clinique du Vertige, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Angelica Perez-Fornos
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jay T. Rubinstein
- Otolaryngology-HNS, Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James O. Phillips
- Otolaryngology-HNS, Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Charles C. Della Santina
- Departments of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nils Guinand
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Stultiens JJA, Postma AA, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, Kingma H, van de Berg R. Vestibular Implantation and the Feasibility of Fluoroscopy-Guided Electrode Insertion. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2019; 53:115-126. [PMID: 31677739 DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2019.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has shown promising results for the development of a clinically feasible vestibular implant in the near future. However, correct electrode placement remains a challenge. It was shown that fluoroscopy was able to visualize the semicircular canal ampullae and electrodes, and guide electrode insertion in real time. Ninety-four percent of the 18 electrodes were implanted correctly (<1.5 mm distance to target). The median distances were 0.60 mm, 0.85 mm, and 0.65 mm for the superior, lateral, and posterior semicircular canal, respectively. These findings suggest that fluoroscopy can significantly improve electrode placement during vestibular implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Johannes Antonius Stultiens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, P.O. box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alida Annechien Postma
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, P.O. box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hermanus Kingma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, P.O. box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, P.O. box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Starkov D, Guinand N, Lucieer F, Ranieri M, Cavuscens S, Pleshkov M, Guyot JP, Kingma H, Ramat S, Perez-Fornos A, van de Berg R. Restoring the High-Frequency Dynamic Visual Acuity with a Vestibular Implant Prototype in Humans. Audiol Neurootol 2019; 25:91-95. [PMID: 31661687 DOI: 10.1159/000503677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The vestibular implant could become a clinically useful device in the near future. This study investigated the feasibility of restoring the high-frequency dynamic visual acuity (DVA) with a vestibular implant, using the functional Head Impulse Test (fHIT). METHODS A 72-year-old female, with bilateral vestibulopathy and fitted with a modified cochlear implant incorporating three vestibular electrodes (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria), was available for this study. Electrical stimulation was delivered with the electrode close to the lateral ampullary nerve in the left ear. The high-frequency DVA in the horizontal plane was tested with the fHIT. After training, the patient underwent six trials of fHIT, each with a different setting of the vestibular implant: (1) System OFF before stimulation; (2) System ON, baseline stimulation; (3) System ON, reversed stimulation; (4) System ON, positive stimulation; (5) System OFF, without delay after stimulation offset; and (6) System OFF, 25 min delay after stimulation offset. The percentage of correct fHIT scores for right and left head impulses were compared between trials. RESULTS Vestibular implant stimulation improved the high-frequency DVA compared to no stimulation. This improvement was significant for "System ON, baseline stimulation" (p = 0.02) and "System ON, positive stimulation" (p < 0.001). fHIT scores changed from 19 to 44% (no stimulation) to maximum 75-94% (System ON, positive stimulation). CONCLUSION The vestibular implant seems capable of improving the high-frequency DVA. This functional benefit of the vestibular implant illustrates again the feasibility of this device for clinical use in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii Starkov
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands, .,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation,
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florence Lucieer
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maksim Pleshkov
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Stefano Ramat
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Angelica Perez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
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Sluydts M, Curthoys I, Vanspauwen R, Papsin BC, Cushing SL, Ramos A, Ramos de Miguel A, Borkoski Barreiro S, Barbara M, Manrique M, Zarowski A. Electrical Vestibular Stimulation in Humans: A Narrative Review. Audiol Neurootol 2019; 25:6-24. [PMID: 31533097 DOI: 10.1159/000502407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with bilateral vestibulopathy, the regular treatment options, such as medication, surgery, and/or vestibular rehabilitation, do not always suffice. Therefore, the focus in this field of vestibular research shifted to electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) and the development of a system capable of artificially restoring the vestibular function. Key Message: Currently, three approaches are being investigated: vestibular co-stimulation with a cochlear implant (CI), EVS with a vestibular implant (VI), and galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS). All three applications show promising results but due to conceptual differences and the experimental state, a consensus on which application is the most ideal for which type of patient is still missing. SUMMARY Vestibular co-stimulation with a CI is based on "spread of excitation," which is a phenomenon that occurs when the currents from the CI spread to the surrounding structures and stimulate them. It has been shown that CI activation can indeed result in stimulation of the vestibular structures. Therefore, the question was raised whether vestibular co-stimulation can be functionally used in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy. A more direct vestibular stimulation method can be accomplished by implantation and activation of a VI. The concept of the VI is based on the technology and principles of the CI. Different VI prototypes are currently being evaluated regarding feasibility and functionality. So far, all of them were capable of activating different types of vestibular reflexes. A third stimulation method is GVS, which requires the use of surface electrodes instead of an implanted electrode array. However, as the currents are sent through the skull from one mastoid to the other, GVS is rather unspecific. It should be mentioned though, that the reported spread of excitation in both CI and VI use also seems to induce a more unspecific stimulation. Although all three applications of EVS were shown to be effective, it has yet to be defined which option is more desirable based on applicability and efficiency. It is possible and even likely that there is a place for all three approaches, given the diversity of the patient population who serves to gain from such technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgana Sluydts
- European Institute for Otorhinolaryngology, GZA Hospitals Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium,
| | - Ian Curthoys
- Vestibular Research Laboratory, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robby Vanspauwen
- European Institute for Otorhinolaryngology, GZA Hospitals Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Blake Croll Papsin
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon Lynn Cushing
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angel Ramos
- Hearing Loss Unit, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Angel Ramos de Miguel
- Hearing Loss Unit, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Silvia Borkoski Barreiro
- Hearing Loss Unit, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Manrique
- Otorhinolaryngology Department, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Andrzej Zarowski
- European Institute for Otorhinolaryngology, GZA Hospitals Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Abstract
Purpose of review Bilateral vestibular deficits exist and their prevalence is more important than believed by the medical community. Their severe impact has inspired several teams to develop technical solutions in an attempt to rehabilitate patients. A particularly promising pathway is the vestibular implant. This article describes the main milestones in this field, mainly focusing on work conducted in human patients. Recent findings There have been substantial research efforts, first in animals and more recently in humans, toward the development of vestibular implants. Humans have demonstrated surprising adaptation capabilities to the artificial vestibular signal. Today, the possibility of restoring vestibular reflexes, particularly the vestibulo-ocular reflex, and even achieving useful function in close-to-reality tasks (i.e. improving visual abilities while walking) have been demonstrated in humans. Summary The vestibular implant opens new perspectives, not only as an effective therapeutic tool, but also pushes us to go beyond current knowledge and well-established clinical concepts.
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Fornos AP, van de Berg R, Armand S, Cavuscens S, Ranieri M, Crétallaz C, Kingma H, Guyot JP, Guinand N. Cervical myogenic potentials and controlled postural responses elicited by a prototype vestibular implant. J Neurol 2019; 266:33-41. [PMID: 31396689 PMCID: PMC6722147 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09491-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Gaze stabilization and postural control are two key functions of the vestibular system. In consequence, oscillopsia and chronic imbalance are the two main complaints of patients presenting with a severe bilateral vestibular function loss. The vestibular implant is emerging as a promising treatment for this group of patients whose quality of life is significantly impaired. Although the final aim of the vestibular implant should be to restore vestibular function as a whole, until now the research has focused mainly on the restoration of the vestibulo-ocular reflex to improve gaze stabilization. In this study, we aimed to explore whether the vestibulo-collic and vestibulo-spinal pathways could be activated and controlled with the electrical stimuli provided by our vestibular implant prototype. This was first explored and demonstrated with recordings of electrically elicited cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (ecVEMPs). ecVEMPs with characteristics similar to the classical acoustically elicited cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) were successfully evoked in five out of the eight tested patients. Amplitudes of the electrically elicited N–P complex varied, ranging from 44 to 120 µV. Mean latencies of the N and P waves were of 9.71(± 1.17) ms and 17.24 ms (± 1.74), respectively. We also evaluated the possibility of generating controlled postural responses using a stepping test. Here, we showed that controlled and consistent whole-body postural responses can be effectively obtained with rapid changes in the “baseline” (constant rate and amplitude) electrical activity delivered by the vestibular implant in two out of the three tested subjects. Furthermore, obtained amplitude of body rotations was significantly correlated with the intensity of stimulation and direction of body rotations correlated with the side of the delivered stimulus (implanted side). Altogether, these data suggest that the vestibular implant could also be used to improve postural control in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Perez Fornos
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Stéphane Armand
- Willy Taillard Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Céline Crétallaz
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nils Guinand
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Dupuits B, Pleshkov M, Lucieer F, Guinand N, Pérez Fornos A, Guyot JP, Kingma H, van de Berg R. A New and Faster Test to Assess Vestibular Perception. Front Neurol 2019; 10:707. [PMID: 31312176 PMCID: PMC6614290 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Clinical vestibular testing mainly consists of testing reflexes, but does not routinely include testing for perceptual symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate a new and faster test for vestibular perception, and to compare its results with previous studies. Methods: Fifty-five healthy subjects with no prior vestibular complaints were included and divided into three age groups. Vestibular perceptual thresholds were measured using a hydraulic platform in the dark. The platform delivered 12 different movements: six translations (forward, backward, right, left, up, and down) and six rotations/tilt (yaw left, yaw right, pitch forward, pitch backward, roll left, and roll right). The subject had to report the correct type and direction of movements. Thresholds were determined by a double confirmation of the lowest threshold. General trends in thresholds like relative interrelationship and the influence of age were analyzed and compared with values reported previously. Results: Mean thresholds of age groups ranged between 0.092 and 0.221 m/s2 for translations, and between 0.188 and 2.255°/s2 for rotations. The absolute values differed from previous reports, but the relative interrelationship of thresholds between type and direction of motion remained. An association between age and vestibular thresholds was found, similar to previous reports. Conclusion: This new and faster test for vestibular perception showed comparable patterns in perceptual thresholds when compared to more research oriented, lengthy tests. This might pave the way for establishing vestibular perception testing protocols useful for the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Dupuits
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Maksim Pleshkov
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Florence Lucieer
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angelica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean Philippe Guyot
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State Research University, Tomsk, Russia
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Boutros PJ, Valentin NS, Hageman KN, Dai C, Roberts D, Della Santina CC. Nonhuman primate vestibuloocular reflex responses to prosthetic vestibular stimulation are robust to pulse timing errors caused by temporal discretization. J Neurophysiol 2019; 121:2256-2266. [PMID: 30995152 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00887.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of vestibular afferent neurons to partially restore semicircular canal sensation of head rotation and the stabilizing reflexes that sensation supports has potential to effectively treat individuals disabled by bilateral vestibular hypofunction. Ideally, a vestibular implant system using this approach would be integrated with a cochlear implant, which would provide clinicians with a means to simultaneously treat loss of both vestibular and auditory sensation. Despite obvious similarities, merging these technologies poses several challenges, including stimulus pulse timing errors that arise when a system must implement a pulse frequency modulation-encoding scheme (as is used in vestibular implants to mimic normal vestibular nerve encoding of head movement) within fixed-rate continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) strategies used in cochlear implants. Pulse timing errors caused by temporal discretization inherent to CIS create stair step discontinuities of the vestibular implant's smooth mapping of head velocity to stimulus pulse frequency. In this study, we assayed electrically evoked vestibuloocular reflex responses in two rhesus macaques using both a smooth pulse frequency modulation map and a discretized map corrupted by temporal errors typical of those arising in a combined cochlear-vestibular implant. Responses were measured using three-dimensional scleral coil oculography for prosthetic electrical stimuli representing sinusoidal head velocity waveforms that varied over 50-400°/s and 0.1-5 Hz. Pulse timing errors produced negligible effects on responses across all canals in both animals, indicating that temporal discretization inherent to implementing a pulse frequency modulation-coding scheme within a cochlear implant's CIS fixed pulse timing framework need not sacrifice performance of the combined system's vestibular implant portion. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Merging a vestibular implant system with existing cochlear implant technology can provide clinicians with a means to restore both vestibular and auditory sensation. Pulse timing errors inherent to integration of pulse frequency modulation vestibular stimulation with fixed-rate, continuous interleaved sampling cochlear implant stimulation would discretize the smooth head velocity encoding of a combined device. In this study, we show these pulse timing errors produce negligible effects on electrically evoked vestibulo-ocular reflex responses in two rhesus macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Boutros
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicolas S Valentin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kristin N Hageman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chenkai Dai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dale Roberts
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles C Della Santina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
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35
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Paraskevoudi N, Pezaris JS. Eye Movement Compensation and Spatial Updating in Visual Prosthetics: Mechanisms, Limitations and Future Directions. Front Syst Neurosci 2019; 12:73. [PMID: 30774585 PMCID: PMC6368147 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2018.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite appearing automatic and effortless, perceiving the visual world is a highly complex process that depends on intact visual and oculomotor function. Understanding the mechanisms underlying spatial updating (i.e., gaze contingency) represents an important, yet unresolved issue in the fields of visual perception and cognitive neuroscience. Many questions regarding the processes involved in updating visual information as a function of the movements of the eyes are still open for research. Beyond its importance for basic research, gaze contingency represents a challenge for visual prosthetics as well. While most artificial vision studies acknowledge its importance in providing accurate visual percepts to the blind implanted patients, the majority of the current devices do not compensate for gaze position. To-date, artificial percepts to the blind population have been provided either by intraocular light-sensing circuitry or by using external cameras. While the former commonly accounts for gaze shifts, the latter requires the use of eye-tracking or similar technology in order to deliver percepts based on gaze position. Inspired by the need to overcome the hurdle of gaze contingency in artificial vision, we aim to provide a thorough overview of the research addressing the neural underpinnings of eye compensation, as well as its relevance in visual prosthetics. The present review outlines what is currently known about the mechanisms underlying spatial updating and reviews the attempts of current visual prosthetic devices to overcome the hurdle of gaze contingency. We discuss the limitations of the current devices and highlight the need to use eye-tracking methodology in order to introduce gaze-contingent information to visual prosthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Paraskevoudi
- Brainlab – Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - John S. Pezaris
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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36
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Kingma H, Felipe L, Gerards MC, Gerits P, Guinand N, Perez-Fornos A, Demkin V, van de Berg R. Vibrotactile feedback improves balance and mobility in patients with severe bilateral vestibular loss. J Neurol 2018; 266:19-26. [PMID: 30519776 PMCID: PMC6722250 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-9133-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The impact of vibrotactile feedback of the gravity vector, provided by a “balance” belt worn around the waist, was evaluated in 39 patients with a severe bilateral vestibular loss, confirmed by extensive laboratory testing and suffering from a low quality of life, mainly due to imbalance. The mobility and balance score (MBS) of all patients prior to the use of the belt was equal or less than 5 out of a scale of 10. Thirty-one out of the 39 patients experienced the effect of the belt on their balance and mobility as positive in a preselection trial of 2 h in the hospital. The 31 positive responders then used the belt for 1 month in daily life. The average MBS increased significantly from 4.2 to 7.9 (paired T test, T = 9.82, p < 0.00001). Twenty-three out of 31 patients reported a benefit ranging from an improvement of 60–200% in their MBS. Eight patients did not experience any benefit. In summary, 23 out of 39 patients with a severe imbalance due to a bilateral vestibular loss experienced a clear benefit of vibrotactile feed = back in daily life. We conclude that vibrotactile feedback via the waist can serve as an effective prothesis for patients with severe bilateral vestibular loss to improve the quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Lilian Felipe
- Speech and Hearing Sciences Department, Lamar University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marie-Cecile Gerards
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Gerits
- IDEE, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angelica Perez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir Demkin
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
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37
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Schier P, Handler M, Johnson Chacko L, Schrott-Fischer A, Fritscher K, Saba R, Baumgartner C, Baumgarten D. Model-Based Vestibular Afferent Stimulation: Evaluating Selective Electrode Locations and Stimulation Waveform Shapes. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:588. [PMID: 30214391 PMCID: PMC6125370 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A dysfunctional vestibular system can be a severe detriment to the quality of life of a patient. Recent studies have shown the feasibility for a vestibular implant to restore rotational sensation via electrical stimulation of vestibular ampullary nerves. However, the optimal stimulation site for selective elicitation of the desired nerve is still unknown. We realized a finite element model on the basis of μCT scans of a human inner ear and incorporated naturally distributed, artificial neural trajectories. A well-validated neuron model of myelinated fibers was incorporated to predict nerve responses to electrical stimulation. Several virtual electrodes were placed in locations of interest inside the bony labyrinth (intra-labyrinthine) and inside the temporal bone, near the target nerves (extra-labyrinthine), to determine preferred stimulation sites and electrode insertion depths. We investigated various monopolar and bipolar electrode configurations as well as different pulse waveform shapes for their ability to selectively stimulate the target nerve and for their energy consumption. The selectivity was evaluated with an objective measure of the fiber recruitment. Considerable differences of required energy and achievable selectivity between the configurations were observed. Bipolar, intra-labyrinthine electrodes provided the best selectivities but also consumed the highest amount of energy. Bipolar, extra-labyrinthine configurations did not offer any advantages compared to the monopolar approach. No selective stimulation could be performed with the monopolar, intra-labyrinthine approach. The monopolar, extra-labyrinthine electrodes required the least energy for satisfactory selectivities, making it the most promising approach for functional vestibular implants. Different pulse waveform shapes did not affect the achieved selectivity considerably but shorter pulse durations showed consistently a more selective activation of the target nerves. A cathodic, centered triangular waveform shape was identified as the most energy-efficient of the tested shapes. Based on these simulations we are able to recommend the monopolar, extra-labyrinthine stimulation approach with cathodic, centered triangular pulses as good trade-off between selectivity and energy consumption. Future implant designs could benefit from the findings presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Schier
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, UMIT-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Michael Handler
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, UMIT-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Lejo Johnson Chacko
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Karl Fritscher
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Biomedical Image Analysis, UMIT-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | | | - Christian Baumgartner
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, UMIT-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria.,Faculty of Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Health Care Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniel Baumgarten
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, UMIT-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria.,Department of Computer Science and Automation, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, Germany
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Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children occurs in 1 to 3% of live births and acquired hearing loss can additionally occur. This sensory deficit has far reaching consequences that have been shown to extend beyond speech and language development. Thankfully there are many therapeutic options that exist for these children with the aim of decreasing the morbidity of their hearing impairment. Of late, focus has shifted beyond speech and language outcomes to the overall performance of children with SNHL in real-world environments. To account for their residual deficits in such environments, clinicians must understand the extent of their sensory impairments. SNHL commonly coexists with other sensory deficits such as vestibular loss. Vestibular impairment is exceedingly common in children with SNHL with nearly half of children exhibiting vestibular end-organ dysfunction. These deficits naturally lead to impairments in balance and delay in motor milestones. However, this additional sensory deficit likely leads to further impairment in the performance of these children. This article focuses on the following: 1. Defining the coexistence of vestibular impairment in children with SNHL and cochlear implants. 2. Describing screening methods aimed at identifying vestibular dysfunction in children with SNHL. 3. Understanding the functional implications of this dual-sensory impairment. 4. Exploring possible rehabilitative strategies to minimize the impact of vestibular impairment in children with SNHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Cushing
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Cochlear Implant Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Blake C Papsin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Phillips JO, Ling L, Nowack AL, Phillips CM, Nie K, Rubinstein JT. The Dynamics of Prosthetically Elicited Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function Across Frequency and Context in the Rhesus Monkey. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:88. [PMID: 29867306 PMCID: PMC5962652 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical vestibular neurostimulation may be a viable tool for modulating vestibular afferent input to restore vestibular function following injury or disease. To do this, such stimulators must provide afferent input that can be readily interpreted by the central nervous system to accurately represent head motion to drive reflexive behavior. Since vestibular afferents have different galvanic sensitivity, and different natural sensitivities to head rotational velocity and acceleration, and electrical stimulation produces aphysiological synchronous activation of multiple afferents, it is difficult to assign a priori an appropriate transformation between head velocity and acceleration and the properties of the electrical stimulus used to drive vestibular reflex function, i.e., biphasic pulse rate or pulse current amplitude. In order to empirically explore the nature of the transformation between vestibular prosthetic stimulation and vestibular reflex behavior, in Rhesus macaque monkeys we parametrically varied the pulse rate and current amplitude of constant rate and current amplitude pulse trains, and the modulation frequency of sinusoidally modulated pulse trains that were pulse frequency modulated (FM) or current amplitude modulated (AM). In addition, we examined the effects of differential eye position and head position on the observed eye movement responses. We conclude that there is a strong and idiosyncratic, from canal to canal, effect of modulation frequency on the observed eye velocities that are elicited by stimulation. In addition, there is a strong effect of initial eye position and initial head position on the observed responses. These are superimposed on the relationships between pulse frequency or current amplitude and eye velocity that have been shown previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- James O Phillips
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Virginia Merril Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Leo Ling
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Amy L Nowack
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Christopher M Phillips
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kaibao Nie
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Virginia Merril Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jay T Rubinstein
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Virginia Merril Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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40
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Handler M, Schier PP, Fritscher KD, Raudaschl P, Johnson Chacko L, Glueckert R, Saba R, Schubert R, Baumgarten D, Baumgartner C. Model-based Vestibular Afferent Stimulation: Modular Workflow for Analyzing Stimulation Scenarios in Patient Specific and Statistical Vestibular Anatomy. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:713. [PMID: 29311790 PMCID: PMC5742128 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Our sense of balance and spatial orientation strongly depends on the correct functionality of our vestibular system. Vestibular dysfunction can lead to blurred vision and impaired balance and spatial orientation, causing a significant decrease in quality of life. Recent studies have shown that vestibular implants offer a possible treatment for patients with vestibular dysfunction. The close proximity of the vestibular nerve bundles, the facial nerve and the cochlear nerve poses a major challenge to targeted stimulation of the vestibular system. Modeling the electrical stimulation of the vestibular system allows for an efficient analysis of stimulation scenarios previous to time and cost intensive in vivo experiments. Current models are based on animal data or CAD models of human anatomy. In this work, a (semi-)automatic modular workflow is presented for the stepwise transformation of segmented vestibular anatomy data of human vestibular specimens to an electrical model and subsequently analyzed. The steps of this workflow include (i) the transformation of labeled datasets to a tetrahedra mesh, (ii) nerve fiber anisotropy and fiber computation as a basis for neuron models, (iii) inclusion of arbitrary electrode designs, (iv) simulation of quasistationary potential distributions, and (v) analysis of stimulus waveforms on the stimulation outcome. Results obtained by the workflow based on human datasets and the average shape of a statistical model revealed a high qualitative agreement and a quantitatively comparable range compared to data from literature, respectively. Based on our workflow, a detailed analysis of intra- and extra-labyrinthine electrode configurations with various stimulation waveforms and electrode designs can be performed on patient specific anatomy, making this framework a valuable tool for current optimization questions concerning vestibular implants in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Handler
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Peter P Schier
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Karl D Fritscher
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Biomedical Image Analysis, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Patrik Raudaschl
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Biomedical Image Analysis, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Lejo Johnson Chacko
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Otolaryngology Tirol Kliniken, University Clinics Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Rainer Schubert
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Biomedical Image Analysis, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Daniel Baumgarten
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria.,Department of Computer Science and Automation, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Christian Baumgartner
- Department for Biomedical Computer Science and Mechatronics, Institute of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria.,Faculty of Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Health Care Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
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van de Berg R, Guinand N, Ranieri M, Cavuscens S, Khoa Nguyen TA, Guyot JP, Lucieer F, Starkov D, Kingma H, van Hoof M, Perez-Fornos A. The Vestibular Implant Input Interacts with Residual Natural Function. Front Neurol 2017; 8:644. [PMID: 29312107 PMCID: PMC5735071 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) can still have residual “natural” function. This might interact with “artificial” vestibular implant input (VI-input). When fluctuating, it could lead to vertigo attacks. Main objective was to investigate how “artificial” VI-input is integrated with residual “natural” input by the central vestibular system. This, to explore (1) whether misalignment in the response of “artificial” VI-input is sufficiently counteracted by well-aligned residual “natural” input and (2) whether “artificial” VI-input is able to influence and counteract the response to residual “natural” input, to show feasibility of a “vestibular pacemaker.” Materials and methods Five vestibular electrodes in four BV patients implanted with a VI were available. This involved electrodes with a predominantly horizontal response and electrodes with a predominantly vertical response. Responses to predominantly horizontal residual “natural” input and predominantly horizontal and vertical “artificial” VI-input were separately measured first. Then, inputs were combined in conditions where both would hypothetically collaborate or counteract. In each condition, subjects were subjected to 60 cycles of sinusoidal stimulation presented at 1 Hz. Gain, asymmetry, phase and angle of eye responses were calculated. Signal averaging was performed. Results Combining residual “natural” input and “artificial” VI-input resulted in an interaction in which characteristics of the resulting eye movement responses could significantly differ from those observed when responses were measured for each input separately (p < 0.0013). In the total eye response, inputs with a stronger vector magnitude seemed to have stronger weights than inputs with a lower vector magnitude, in a non-linear combination. Misalignment in the response of “artificial” VI-input was not sufficiently counteracted by well-aligned residual “natural” input. “Artificial” VI-input was able to significantly influence and counteract the response to residual “natural” input. Conclusion In the acute phase of VI-activation, residual “natural” input and “artificial” VI-input interact to generate eye movement responses in a non-linear fashion. This implies that different stimulation paradigms and more complex signal processing strategies will be required unless the brain is able to optimally combine both sources of information after adaptation during chronic use. Next to this, these findings could pave the way for using the VI as “vestibular pacemaker.”
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - T A Khoa Nguyen
- Translational Neural Engineering Lab, Center for Neuroprosthetics, Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florence Lucieer
- Division of Balance Disorders, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Marc van Hoof
- Division of Balance Disorders, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Angelica Perez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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Nguyen TAK, Cavuscens S, Ranieri M, Schwarz K, Guinand N, van de Berg R, van den Boogert T, Lucieer F, van Hoof M, Guyot JP, Kingma H, Micera S, Perez Fornos A. Characterization of Cochlear, Vestibular and Cochlear-Vestibular Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potentials in Patients with a Vestibulo-Cochlear Implant. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:645. [PMID: 29209162 PMCID: PMC5702472 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The peripheral vestibular system is critical for the execution of activities of daily life as it provides movement and orientation information to motor and sensory systems. Patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction experience a significant decrease in quality of life and have currently no viable treatment option. Vestibular implants could eventually restore vestibular function. Most vestibular implant prototypes to date are modified cochlear implants to fast-track development. These use various objective measurements, such as the electrically evoked compound action potential (eCAP), to supplement behavioral information. We investigated whether eCAPs could be recorded in patients with a vestibulo-cochlear implant. Specifically, eCAPs were successfully recorded for cochlear and vestibular setups, as well as for mixed cochlear-vestibular setups. Similarities and slight differences were found for the recordings of the three setups. These findings demonstrated the feasibility of eCAP recording with a vestibulo-cochlear implant. They could be used in the short term to reduce current spread and avoid activation of non-targeted neurons. More research is warranted to better understand the neural origin of vestibular eCAPs and to utilize them for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A K Nguyen
- Division of Functional Neurosurgery, Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neuroengineering, ÉcolePolytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,International Research Laboratory for Modelling of Physical Processes in Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Thomas van den Boogert
- Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Floor Lucieer
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Marc van Hoof
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,International Research Laboratory for Modelling of Physical Processes in Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Silvestro Micera
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neuroengineering, ÉcolePolytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Translational Neural Engineering Laboratory, BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelica Perez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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Guinand N, Van de Berg R, Cavuscens S, Ranieri M, Schneider E, Lucieer F, Kingma H, Guyot JP, Pérez Fornos A. The Video Head Impulse Test to Assess the Efficacy of Vestibular Implants in Humans. Front Neurol 2017; 8:600. [PMID: 29184530 PMCID: PMC5694451 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether it is possible to restore the high-frequency angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) in patients suffering from a severe bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) and implanted with a vestibular implant prototype. Three patients (S1–3) participated in the study. They received a prototype vestibular implant with one to three electrode branches implanted in the proximity of the ampullary branches of the vestibular nerve. Five electrodes were available for electrical stimulation: one implanted in proximity of the left posterior ampullary nerve in S1, one in the left lateral and another one in the superior ampullary nerves in S2, and one in the right lateral and another one in the superior ampullary nerves in S3. The high-frequency aVOR was assessed using the video head impulse test (EyeSeeCam; EyeSeeTec, Munich, Germany), while motion-modulated electrical stimulation was delivered via one of the implanted vestibular electrodes at a time. aVOR gains were compared to control measurements obtained in the same patients when the device was not activated. In three out of the five tested electrodes the aVOR gain increased monotonically with increased stimulation strength when head impulses were delivered in the plane of the implanted canal. In these cases, gains ranging from 0.4 to values above 1 were measured. A “reversed” aVOR could also be generated when inversed stimulation paradigms were used. In most cases, the gain for excitatory head impulses was superior to that recorded for inhibitory head impulses, consistent with unilateral vestibular stimulation. Improvements of aVOR gain were generally accompanied by a concomitant decrease of corrective saccades, providing additional evidence of an effective aVOR. High inter-electrode and inter-subject variability were observed. These results, together with previous research, demonstrate that it is possible to restore the aVOR in a broad frequency range using motion-modulated electrical stimulation of the vestibular afferents. This provides additional encouraging evidence of the possibility of achieving a useful rehabilitation alternative for patients with BV in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Raymond Van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Erich Schneider
- Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Floor Lucieer
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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van de Berg R, Lucieer F, Guinand N, van Tongeren J, George E, Guyot JP, Kingma H, van Hoof M, Temel Y, van Overbeeke J, Perez-Fornos A, Stokroos R. The Vestibular Implant: Hearing Preservation during Intralabyrinthine Electrode Insertion-A Case Report. Front Neurol 2017; 8:137. [PMID: 28443060 PMCID: PMC5385458 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The vestibular implant seems feasible as a clinically useful device in the near future. However, hearing preservation during intralabyrinthine implantation remains a challenge. It should be preserved to be able to treat patients with bilateral vestibulopathy and (partially) intact hearing. This case study investigated the feasibility of hearing preservation during the acute phase after electrode insertion in the semicircular canals. Methods A 40-year-old woman with normal hearing underwent a translabyrinthine approach for a vestibular schwannoma Koos Grade IV. Hearing was monitored using auditory brainstem response audiometry (ABR). ABR signals were recorded synchronously to video recordings of the surgery. Following the principles of soft surgery, a conventional dummy electrode was inserted in the lateral semicircular canal for several minutes and subsequently removed. The same procedure was then applied for the posterior canal. Finally, the labyrinthectomy was completed, and the schwannoma was removed. Results Surgery was performed without complications. No leakage of endolymph and no significant reduction of ABR response were observed during insertion and after removal of the electrodes from the semicircular canals, indicting no damage to the peripheral auditory function. The ABR response significantly changed when the semicircular canals were completely opened during the labyrinthectomy. This was indicated by a change in the morphology and latency of peak V of the ABR signal. Conclusion Electrode insertion in the semicircular canals is possible without acutely damaging the peripheral auditory function measured with ABR, as shown in this proof-of-principle clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Florence Lucieer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joost van Tongeren
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Erwin George
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Marc van Hoof
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Yasin Temel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jacobus van Overbeeke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Angelica Perez-Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robert Stokroos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Perez Fornos A, Cavuscens S, Ranieri M, van de Berg R, Stokroos R, Kingma H, Guyot JP, Guinand N. The vestibular implant: A probe in orbit around the human balance system. J Vestib Res 2017; 27:51-61. [DOI: 10.3233/ves-170604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Perez Fornos
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Russian Federation
| | - Robert Stokroos
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Balance Disorders, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Physics, Tomsk State University, Russian Federation
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nils Guinand
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Guinand N, Van de Berg R, Cavuscens S, Stokroos R, Ranieri M, Pelizzone M, Kingma H, Guyot JP, Pérez Fornos A. Restoring Visual Acuity in Dynamic Conditions with a Vestibular Implant. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:577. [PMID: 28066163 PMCID: PMC5177740 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vestibular implants are devices designed to rehabilitate patients with a bilateral vestibular loss (BVL). These patients lack a properly functioning vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which impairs gaze stabilization abilities and results in an abnormal loss of visual acuity (VA) in dynamic situations (i.e., severely limiting the patient's ability to read signs or recognize faces while walking). We previously demonstrated that the VOR can be artificially restored in a group of BVL patients fitted with a prototype vestibular implant. This study was designed to investigate whether these promising results could be translated to a close-to-reality task, significantly improving VA abilities while walking. Six BVL patients previously implanted with a vestibular implant prototype participated in the experiments. VA was determined using Sloan letters displayed on a computer screen, in four conditions: (1) with the patient standing still without moving (static), (2) while the patient was walking on a treadmill at constant speed with the vestibular implant prototype turned off (systemOFF), (3) while the patient was walking on a treadmill at constant speed with the vestibular implant prototype turned on providing coherent motion information (systemONmotion), and (4) a “placebo” condition where the patient was walking on a treadmill at constant speed with the vestibular implant prototype turned on providing reversed motion information (systemONsham). The analysis (one-way repeated measures analysis of variance) revealed a statistically significant effect of the test condition [F(3, 12) = 30.5, p < 0.001]. Significant decreases in VA were observed with the systemOFF condition when compared to the static condition (Tukey post-hoc p < 0.001). When the vestibular implant was turned on, delivering pertinent motion information (systemONmotion) the VA improved to close to normal values. The improvement disappeared in the placebo condition (systemONsham) and VA-values also dropped significantly in this condition (Tukey post-hoc p < 0.001). These results are a significant step forward in the field, demonstrating for the first time in humans that gaze stabilization abilities can be restored with a vestibular implant prototype. The vestibular implant shows considerable promise of being the first-ever effective therapeutic alternative for patients with a BVL in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Guinand
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University HospitalsGeneva, Switzerland; Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical CentreMaastricht, Netherlands
| | - Raymond Van de Berg
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical CentreMaastricht, Netherlands; Faculty of Physics, National Research Tomsk State UniversityTomsk, Russia
| | - Samuel Cavuscens
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robert Stokroos
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical Centre Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Maurizio Ranieri
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marco Pelizzone
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Herman Kingma
- Division of Balance Disorders, Department of ENT, Maastricht University Medical CentreMaastricht, Netherlands; Faculty of Physics, National Research Tomsk State UniversityTomsk, Russia
| | - Jean-Philippe Guyot
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Pérez Fornos
- Service of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals Geneva, Switzerland
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Lewis RF. Vestibular implants studied in animal models: clinical and scientific implications. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:2777-2788. [PMID: 27760820 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00601.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Damage to the peripheral vestibular system can result in debilitating postural, perceptual, and visual symptoms. A potential new treatment for this clinical problem is to replace some aspects of peripheral vestibular function with an implant that senses head motion and provides this information to the brain by stimulating branches of the vestibular nerve. In this review I consider animal studies performed at our institution over the past 15 years, which have helped elucidate how the brain processes information provided by a vestibular (semicircular canal) implant and how this information could be used to improve the problems experienced by patients with peripheral vestibular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard F Lewis
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; .,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and.,Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
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Guinand N, van de Berg R, Ranieri M, Cavuscens S, DiGiovanna J, Nguyen TAK, Micera S, Stokroos R, Kingma H, Guyot JP, Perez Fornos A. Vestibular implants: Hope for improving the quality of life of patients with bilateral vestibular loss. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016; 2015:7192-5. [PMID: 26737951 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2015.7320051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The vestibular system plays an essential role in crucial tasks such as postural control, gaze stabilization, and spatial orientation. Currently, there is no effective treatment for a bilateral loss of the vestibular function (BVL). The quality of life of affected patients is significantly impaired. During the last decade, our group has explored the potential of using electrical stimulation to artificially restore the vestibular function. Our vestibular implant prototype consists of a custom modified cochlear implant featuring one to three vestibular electrodes implanted in the proximity of the ampullary branches of the vestibular nerve; in addition to the main cochlear array. Special surgical techniques for safe implantation of these devices have been developed. In addition, we have developed stimulation strategies to generate bidirectional eye movements as well as the necessary interfaces to capture the signal from a motion sensor (e.g., gyroscope) and use it to modulate the stimulation signals delivered to the vestibular nerves. To date, 24 vestibular electrodes have been implanted in 11 BVL patients. Using a virtual motion profile to modulate the "baseline" electrical stimulation, vestibular responses could be evoked with 21 electrodes. Eye movements with mean peak eye velocities of 32°/s and predominantly in the plane of the stimulated canal were successfully generated. These are within the range of normal compensatory eye movements during walking and were large enough to have a significant effect on the patients' visual acuity. These results indicate that electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve has a significant functional impact; eye movements generated this way could be sufficient to restore gaze stabilization during essential everyday tasks such as walking. The innovative concept of the vestibular implant has the potential to restore the vestibular function and have a central role in improving the quality of life of BVL patients in the near future.
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Hitier M, Sato G, Zhang YF, Zheng Y, Besnard S, Smith PF, Curthoys IS. Anatomy and surgical approach of rat’s vestibular sensors and nerves. J Neurosci Methods 2016; 270:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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50
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Nguyen TAK, DiGiovanna J, Cavuscens S, Ranieri M, Guinand N, van de Berg R, Carpaneto J, Kingma H, Guyot JP, Micera S, Fornos AP. Characterization of pulse amplitude and pulse rate modulation for a human vestibular implant during acute electrical stimulation. J Neural Eng 2016; 13:046023. [DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/13/4/046023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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