Disequilibrium After Traumatic Brain Injury: Vestibular Mechanisms
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate mechanisms of disequilibrium and imbalance in veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). The mechanism of chronic dizziness and imbalance after TBI is not known. The hypothesis for this study is that TBI leads to an impairment in the vestibular reflexes that compensate for linear movements of the head and body during standing and walking. The experimental protocol has two parts. First, we use an infrared motion-tracking system to record the movements of the body during balance and walking tasks. Then, we use eye movement recordings during linear and rotational motion to perform a comprehensive assessment of the vestibular reflexes. Data recorded in veterans with a history of TBI are compared to those from neurologically normal control subjects who report no balance problems. We have recorded data from veterans with TBI and control subjects, and we continue to recruit additional subjects. To date, we have found significant TBI-related deficits in vestibulo-ocular reflexes, as well as in static and dynamic postural control, and locomotion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA559247
Entities
People
- Mark Walker
Organizations
- Case Western Reserve University