Thomas Brandt1, Doreen Huppert. 1. aInstitute for Clinical Neurosciences bGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is, first, to cover the different aspects of visual height intolerance such as historical descriptions, definition of terms, phenomenology of the condition, neurophysiological control of gaze, stance and locomotion, and therapy, and, second, to identify warranted epidemiological and experimental studies. RECENT FINDINGS: Vivid descriptions of fear of heights can be found in ancient texts from the Greek, Roman, and Chinese classics. The life-time prevalence of visual height intolerance is as high as 28% in the general population, and about 50% of those who are susceptible report an impact on quality of life. When exposed to heights, visual exploration by eye and head movements is restricted, and the velocity of locomotion is reduced. Therapy for fear of heights is dominated by the behavioral techniques applied during real or virtual reality exposure. Their efficacy might be facilitated by the administration of D-cycloserine or glucocorticoids. SUMMARY: Visual height intolerance has a considerable impact on daily life and interpersonal interactions. It is much more frequent than fear of heights, which is defined as an environmental subtype of a specific phobia. There is certainly a continuum stretching from acrophobia to a less-pronounced visual height intolerance, to which the categorical distinction of a specific phobia does not apply.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is, first, to cover the different aspects of visual height intolerance such as historical descriptions, definition of terms, phenomenology of the condition, neurophysiological control of gaze, stance and locomotion, and therapy, and, second, to identify warranted epidemiological and experimental studies. RECENT FINDINGS: Vivid descriptions of fear of heights can be found in ancient texts from the Greek, Roman, and Chinese classics. The life-time prevalence of visual height intolerance is as high as 28% in the general population, and about 50% of those who are susceptible report an impact on quality of life. When exposed to heights, visual exploration by eye and head movements is restricted, and the velocity of locomotion is reduced. Therapy for fear of heights is dominated by the behavioral techniques applied during real or virtual reality exposure. Their efficacy might be facilitated by the administration of D-cycloserine or glucocorticoids. SUMMARY:Visual height intolerance has a considerable impact on daily life and interpersonal interactions. It is much more frequent than fear of heights, which is defined as an environmental subtype of a specific phobia. There is certainly a continuum stretching from acrophobia to a less-pronounced visual height intolerance, to which the categorical distinction of a specific phobia does not apply.
Authors: Brian C Horslen; Christopher J Dakin; J Timothy Inglis; Jean-Sébastien Blouin; Mark G Carpenter Journal: J Physiol Date: 2014-06-27 Impact factor: 5.182
Authors: Roman Schniepp; Günter Kugler; Max Wuehr; Maria Eckl; Doreen Huppert; Sabrina Huth; Cauchy Pradhan; Klaus Jahn; Thomas Brandt Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2014-12-04 Impact factor: 3.169
Authors: Max Wuehr; Guenter Kugler; Roman Schniepp; Maria Eckl; Cauchy Pradhan; Klaus Jahn; Doreen Huppert; Thomas Brandt Journal: Physiol Rep Date: 2014-02-18