Cognitive impairment in patients with chronic unilateral vestibulopathy: A resting-state functional MRI study

The association between cognitive impairment and chronic unilateral vestibulopathy (CUVP) remains unclear. Vestibular dysfunction is linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggesting that cognitive deficits in CUVP may provide insight into early AD-related processes. OBJECTIVE: To assess cognition in CUVP patients, and investigate its correlation with brain functional and structural changes.

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

No actionable clinical change — findings are observational and mechanistic; however, audiologists and vestibular specialists should be aware that chronic unilateral vestibulopathy may be associated with measurable cognitive changes detectable on neuroimaging.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Demonstrating a neural basis for cognitive impairment in chronic unilateral vestibulopathy strengthens the case for routine cognitive screening in vestibular patients and may guide future rehabilitation strategies.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Resting-state fMRI reveals altered brain connectivity in patients with chronic one-sided vestibular (inner-ear balance) dysfunction.
02Cognitive impairment was associated with specific neural network changes in affected patients.
03Findings support a brain-based (central) explanation for cognitive symptoms in vestibular disorders.
04Study is observational; causality between vestibulopathy and cognitive decline cannot be established.
05Relevant to vestibular audiologists and balance disorder clinicians.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Chronic unilateral vestibulopathy is associated with cognitive impairment linked to measurable changes in resting-state brain connectivity.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42877395
DOI: 10.1177/25424823261445998.
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 3
Population: Patients with chronic unilateral vestibulopathy
Intervention: Resting-state functional MRI assessment of brain connectivity
Comparator: Healthy controls (implied by fMRI study design)

Primary outcomes

Resting-state functional connectivity patterns; Cognitive impairment measures

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