Relationship between vestibular alterations and cognitive performance in adults and older adults

To analyze the influence of vestibular changes on the cognitive performance of adults and elderly people, with 11 or more years of study.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Audiologists and vestibular specialists should be alert to possible cognitive concerns in patients presenting with vestibular dysfunction, though this observational design cannot confirm a causal relationship and does not yet justify routine cognitive screening in all vestibular patients.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

A confirmed link between vestibular dysfunction and cognitive decline would elevate the clinical urgency of vestibular rehabilitation and expand the scope of audiological care into cognitive health monitoring.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Observational study design examining vestibular and cognitive function together.
02Includes both adults and older adults — a broad age range.
03Minimum 11 years of education required to control for educational confounding.
04Vestibular alterations are the exposure; cognitive performance is the outcome.
05Adds to the growing body of evidence linking inner-ear health to brain health.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Vestibular alterations are associated with reduced cognitive performance in adults and older adults.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42054181
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/e20240356pt.
Journal: CoDAS
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 3
Population: Adults and older adults with at least 11 years of education
Intervention: Vestibular alterations (balance system dysfunction)
Comparator: Adults without vestibular alterations

Primary outcomes

Cognitive performance measures in adults with vestibular alterations

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