The Assessment of Semicircular Canals', Saccule' and Utricles' Function in Older Adults

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the effect of aging on peripheral vestibular organs in older adults. Sixty four participants in the age range of 18-70 years were selected for the study. The participants were further divided into four subgroups (18-30, 41-50, 51-60, & 61-70 years). Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential, ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential and video head impulse test were used to assess the sacculo-collic, utriculo-ocular and the vestibule-ocular (from lateral semicircular canals only) pathways, respectively. With the advancing age, there occurred increase in the latency of P1 peak of cVEMP, and n1 and p1 peaks of oVEMP. The amplitude of both cVEMP and oVEMP decreased significantly with increase in age. Individuals in the 61-70 years had significantly poorer cVEMP amplitudes compared to the other groups. The individuals in the 18-30 years age group had significantly higher oVEMP amplitudes compared to the other groups. There was a marginally significant reduction in the VOR gain with increasing age. cVEMP and oVEMP can be used to effectively predict the extent of vestibular damage due to ageing. vHIT should be complemented with caloric while assessing the lateral semicircular canals due to its poor sensitivity for moderate problems.