Robin T Bigelow1, Yevgeniy R Semenov1, Carolina Trevino1, Luigi Ferrucci2, Susan M Resnick3, Eleanor M Simonsick4, Qian-Li Xue5,6, Yuri Agrawal1. 1. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. 2. Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland. 3. Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland. 4. Longitudinal Studies Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland. 5. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. 6. Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between vestibular loss associated with aging and age-related decline in visuospatial function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis within a prospective cohort study. SETTING: Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling BLSA participants with a mean age of 72 (range 26-91) (N = 183). MEASUREMENTS: Vestibular function was measured using vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials. Visuospatial cognitive tests included Card Rotations, Purdue Pegboard, Benton Visual Retention Test, and Trail-Making Test Parts A and B. Tests of executive function, memory, and attention were also considered. RESULTS: Participants underwent vestibular and cognitive function testing. In multiple linear regression analyses, poorer vestibular function was associated with poorer performance on Card Rotations (P = .001), Purdue Pegboard (P = .005), Benton Visual Retention Test (P = 0.008), and Trail-Making Test Part B (P = .04). Performance on tests of executive function and verbal memory were not significantly associated with vestibular function. Exploratory factor analyses in a subgroup of participants who underwent all cognitive tests identified three latent cognitive abilities: visuospatial ability, verbal memory, and working memory and attention. Vestibular loss was significantly associated with lower visuospatial and working memory and attention factor scores. CONCLUSION: Significant consistent associations between vestibular function and tests of visuospatial ability were observed in a sample of community-dwelling adults. Impairment in visuospatial skills is often one of the first signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate whether the relationship between vestibular function and visuospatial ability is causal.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between vestibular loss associated with aging and age-related decline in visuospatial function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis within a prospective cohort study. SETTING: Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling BLSA participants with a mean age of 72 (range 26-91) (N = 183). MEASUREMENTS: Vestibular function was measured using vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials. Visuospatial cognitive tests included Card Rotations, Purdue Pegboard, Benton Visual Retention Test, and Trail-Making Test Parts A and B. Tests of executive function, memory, and attention were also considered. RESULTS:Participants underwent vestibular and cognitive function testing. In multiple linear regression analyses, poorer vestibular function was associated with poorer performance on Card Rotations (P = .001), Purdue Pegboard (P = .005), Benton Visual Retention Test (P = 0.008), and Trail-Making Test Part B (P = .04). Performance on tests of executive function and verbal memory were not significantly associated with vestibular function. Exploratory factor analyses in a subgroup of participants who underwent all cognitive tests identified three latent cognitive abilities: visuospatial ability, verbal memory, and working memory and attention. Vestibular loss was significantly associated with lower visuospatial and working memory and attention factor scores. CONCLUSION: Significant consistent associations between vestibular function and tests of visuospatial ability were observed in a sample of community-dwelling adults. Impairment in visuospatial skills is often one of the first signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate whether the relationship between vestibular function and visuospatial ability is causal.
Authors: Martin Göttlich; Nico M Jandl; Jann F Wojak; Andreas Sprenger; Janina von der Gablentz; Thomas F Münte; Ulrike M Krämer; Christoph Helmchen Journal: Neuroimage Clin Date: 2014-03-12 Impact factor: 4.881
Authors: Yuri Agrawal; Daniel M Merfeld; Fay B Horak; Mark S Redfern; Brad Manor; Kelly P Westlake; Gay R Holstein; Paul F Smith; Tanvi Bhatt; Nicolaas I Bohnen; Lewis A Lipsitz Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2020-11-13 Impact factor: 6.053