The vestibular system is the system of balance, and is composed of five sensory organs located within the inner ear. Information regarding the position of the head in space is sent to the brainstem and cerebellum via afferent fibers. The brain modulates this information via an efferent network excitatory in nature. It is believed that this reciprocal innervation is necessary to adapt the vestibular system from a postural mode to a volitional mode, and that the efferent vestibular system may be critical for properly maintaining the sense of balance. There is conflicting information regarding the precise innervation patterns of the efferent neurons. It is therefore necessary to investigate the contribution of ipsilateral, contralateral, and bilaterally-projecting efferent fibers to the total pool of efferents, and to reconstruct their terminal projections. Collecting this information is essential for an understanding of the structural and functional properties of the vestibular system. Understanding how the brain modulates incoming sensory information is necessary to develop treatment options for numerous vestibular pathologies. This research will also lead to a better understanding of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, the auditory system, and other pathways that rely on information from the efferent and efferent nuclei in the brain stem.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
1F30DC005451-01
Application #
6486903
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2002-09-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-05-01
Budget End
2003-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$25,656
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Desai, Sapan S; Zeh, Catherine; Lysakowski, Anna (2005) Comparative morphology of rodent vestibular periphery. I. Saccular and utricular maculae. J Neurophysiol 93:251-66
Desai, Sapan S; Ali, Hussain; Lysakowski, Anna (2005) Comparative morphology of rodent vestibular periphery. II. Cristae ampullares. J Neurophysiol 93:267-80