This project aims to characterize age-related changes in vestibular function, and explore their influence on important gait outcomes that increase fall risk and mortality in older individuals.
These aims will be carried out within the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), a rigorous, comprehensive longitudinal study of >1000 individuals age 20-103. Specifically, Aim 1 is to characterize SCC and otolith functional status and age- related variation in the BLSA population, and evaluate these for associations with demographic and comorbid medical factors. We will estimate population means and heterogeneity (variance) in AVOR gain in each SCC plane and cervical and ocular VEMP amplitudes as a function of age. We will evaluate differences in age- related SCC and otolith function by demographic factors (gender, race) and comorbidities (diabetes).
In Aim 2, we plan to evaluate longitudinal changes in SCC and otolith function within BLSA participants over 5 years and investigate differences by demographic and comorbid medical factors. In 5 years, ~600 BLSA participants will be evaluated at 3-5 repeated visits. We will estimate mean and heterogeneity in rate of change of AVOR gain in each SCC plane and cervical and ocular VEMP amplitudes as a function of time. We will assess whether rates of change differ by demographic and comorbidity subgroups.
In Aim 3, we will investigate the association of SCC and otolith function with age-related gait impairment. We will also evaluate whether a compensatory strategy that improves gaze stabilization modifies the association between SCC function and age-related gait impairment. We will evaluate associations between SCC and otolith function and two important age-related gait impairments - slow gait speed and increased gait variability (e.g. in step length, width, velocity), controlling for potential confounders including ankle proprioception, vision, lower extremity strength and neurocognitive function. A well-characterized compensatory strategy for SCC function loss is the gaze-stabilizing compensatory saccade. Importantly, this saccade can be induced and improved through vestibular rehabilitation. We will evaluate the frequency and timing of this compensatory saccade in the BLSA cohort as a function of age and AVOR gain, and investigate whether early timing of this saccade reduces the impact of low AVOR gain on gait speed and variability. This work represents an interdisciplinary approach to characterize the changes in vestibular physiologic function that occur with aging, and to explore the impact of these changes on clinically-significant outcomes including gait speed and variability and the role of vestibular adaptation in modifying these associations. The proposed work will fill fundamental knowledge gaps about how vestibular physiologic function changes with age. Moreover, findings from this study will inform clinical practice by establishing the range of predicted values for SCC and otolith function by age, by providing expected trajectories for SCC and otolith function according to baseline patient characteristics for individual- level patient counseling, and by identifying specific deficts (e.g. delay of compensatory saccades) that can be targeted clinically to improve functional outcomes and ultimately reduce fall risk in older individuals.

Public Health Relevance

Dysfunction of the vestibular system is highly prevalent in older individuals, and is a significant risk factor for falls. We aim to further understand this association by characterizing age-related changes in semicircular canal and otolith function, how these changes influence important gait outcomes in older individuals that increase fall risk and mortality, and how adaptation to vestibular loss may modify these associations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23DC013056-03
Application #
9012806
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Rivera-Rentas, Alberto L
Project Start
2014-03-14
Project End
2019-02-28
Budget Start
2016-03-01
Budget End
2017-02-28
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21205
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Kamil, Rebecca J; Jacob, Athira; Ratnanather, John Tilak et al. (2018) Vestibular Function and Hippocampal Volume in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Otol Neurotol 39:765-771
Anson, E; Pineault, K; Bair, W et al. (2018) Reduced vestibular function is associated with longer, slower steps in healthy adults during normal speed walking. Gait Posture 68:340-345
Anson, Eric; Bigelow, Robin T; Studenski, Stephanie et al. (2018) Failure on the Foam Eyes Closed Test of Standing Balance Associated With Reduced Semicircular Canal Function in Healthy Older Adults. Ear Hear :
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Wei, Eric X; Agrawal, Yuri (2017) Vestibular Dysfunction and Difficulty with Driving: Data from the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Front Neurol 8:557
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Xie, Yanjun; Anson, Eric R; Simonsick, Eleanor M et al. (2017) Compensatory Saccades Are Associated With Physical Performance in Older Adults: Data From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Otol Neurotol 38:373-378
Agrawal, Yuri (2017) Editorial: Age-Related Vestibular Loss: Current Understanding and Future Research Directions. Front Neurol 8:443

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