Active clinical trials for "Vestibular Diseases"

Create a census for the duration of the search for French patients with SK determining epidemiological and morphological parameters, determine the true frequency of clinical symptoms and identify new ones, identify complications of the disease to improve the care of patients in the hope of a better prognosis of the disease and performing a radiological study by Voxel based morphometry MRI type (N. BODDAERT, HOPITAL Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris) Perform genetic research to identify the genetic bases of SK using CGH-array (Comparative Genomic Hybridization )

The objective of this study is to identify possible preoperative risk factors including genetic background and to suggest the optimal test battery of vestibular function in cochlear implant recipients

This study will try to identify the genetic causes of hereditary hearing loss or balance disorders. People with a hearing or balance disorder that affects more than one family member may be eligible for this study. They and their immediate family members may undergo some or all of the following procedures: Medical and family history, including questions about hearing, balance and other ear-related issues, and review of medical records. Routine physical examination. Blood draw or buccal swab (brushing inside the cheek to collect cells) - Tissue is collected for DNA analysis to look for changes in genes that may be related to hearing loss. Hearing tests - The subject listens for tones emitted through a small earphone. Balance tests to see if balance functions of the inner ear are associated with the hearing loss In one test the subject wears goggles and watches moving lights while cold or warm air is blown into the ears. A second test involves sitting in a spinning chair in a quiet, dark room. Photograph - A photograph may be taken as a record of eye shape and color, distance between the eyes, and hair color. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans - These tests show the structure of the inner ear. For CT, the subject lies still for a short time while X-ray images are obtained. For MRI, the patient lies on a stretcher that is moved into a cylindrical machine with a strong magnetic field. The magnetic field and radio waves produce images of the inner ear. The radio waves cause loud thumping noises that can be muffled by the use of earplugs.

Starting from isolating primary cells from affected patients, an in vitro disease model system for KS will be developed. Using alternative strategies to obtain patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells, an integrative approach will be adopted for defining both the transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory networks perturbed upon the loss of function of KMT2D. Combining the self-renewal potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with CRISPR/Cas9 technology, an epigenome editing approach as therapeutic strategy to rescue the activity of MLL4 will be developed. A step forward is expected towards the understanding of those the molecular mechanisms governing the aetiology of Kabuki Syndrome (KS) and that the proposed in vitro disease model will provide to the scientific community an experimental system to study the KS. Importantly, the aim is to define the molecular bases of KS and to develop a therapeutic strategy that could ameliorate some of the abnormalities associated with KS.

The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic values associated with both a positive and negative Skull Vibration Induced Nystagmus Test (SVINT) performed in room light (with fixation). The hypotheses include: 1. A positive room light SVINT will be identified in individuals with moderate to severe vestibular asymmetries. 2. A positive room light SVINT will be present when 10 beats or more (counted over 10 seconds) of nystagmus are found with fixation blocked.

The investigators propose to explore the hypothesis that vibrotactile channels for indicating spatial orientation can be exploited as a sensory prosthesis. The specific research applications will be used for guiding visual orientation, to provide alternative feedback to vision and vestibular signals for controlling balance, and for directional and lateralisation cueing in patients with neglect syndromes. The programme will study whether vibrotactile feedback improves performance and also if it speeds rehabilitation when used as an adjunct to conventional therapy.

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) refers to idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss of at least 30 dB over at least three test frequencies occurring over a 72-hour period. Vertigo has been considered a risk factor of poor prognosis in patients with ISSNHL. However, the clinical outcome and development of vestibular function in these patients have not been reported yet. We'd like to conduct a study on the problem whether these patients resulted in a complete recovery of the peripheral vestibular functions or compensation of the central vestibular system. If the answer is the former one, these cases might be supportive evidence of regeneration of hair cells in vestibular disorders.

The aim of this study is to assess the differences in gaze and gait during the stair and ramp negotiation (+transition to normal level walking) between healthy controls and vestibular patients (fallers and non-fallers).

Background: Neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) is associated with tumors of the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. Most people with NF2 develop vestibular schwannomas, or tumors on the hearing and balance nerves. As they grow, vestibular schwannomas can cause hearing loss and balance problems. If they grow very large they can cause more serious problems, such as seizures, loss of eyesight, weakness, speech problems, and problems with the sense of touch. More research is needed into NF2 because researchers do not completely understand why these tumors occur or what makes them grow over time. Currently, tumor size is measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. However, MRI scans cannot predict how fast a tumor will grow. By using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, researchers hope to be able to predict sudden growth spurts of tumors associated with NF2 and develop better treatment methods for this type of cancer. Objectives: - To use magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography to better understand the growth of brain tumors in people with neurofibromatosis type II. Eligibility: - Individuals between 18 and 50 years of age who have been diagnosed with NF2 and have at least three untreated intracranial tumors. Design: This study requires an initial set of outpatient visits to the NIH Clinical Center that will last 7 to 10 days. Participants will have a physical and neurological examination and blood tests at the first visit. Participants will then have the following imaging studies to examine the tumors: MRI scans of the brain PET scans of the brain, combined with a computed tomography (CT) scan. The PET scans will be performed on separate days. Different contrast agents will be used for both scans, so researchers will inform participants if they need to fast or follow other procedures before having the scan. After the initial imaging studies, participants will have additional MRI scans every 6 months for 2 years to track tumor growth.

The present project aims at describing how vestibular signals contribute to the multisensory mechanisms of bodily self-consciousness. There is a large body of data regarding the sensory and neural mechanisms of self-consciousness, but most studies have so far demonstrated the contribution of visual, tactile and proprioceptive signals to bodily self-consciousness. Thus, most studies have neglected the contribution of the vestibular system, a major sensory system for spatial and bodily representations. The vestibular system is sensitive to head motions in space and head inclinations with respect to gravity and it should therefore contribute significantly to several bodily experiences. This contribution should be put under neuroscientific scrutiny. We believe that the current neuroscientific models of bodily self-consciousness will be incomplete until they incorporate the contribution of vestibular signals. The present project specifically aims at testing the hypothesis according to which vestibular signals significantly influence bodily self-consciousness, in particular first-person and third-person perspective taking and the internal body models (i.e. the body schema and body image). The present project also aims at describing how cortical vestibular processing is modified during experimental changes of perspective taking and viewpoint. In addition, the present project will describe whether vestibular disorders change performances in third-person perspective taking tasks and modify internal body models. This should help understanding bodily symptoms in vestibular-defective patients. To this end, we will combine approaches from psychophysics and electrophysiology (electromyography, electroencephalography) in healthy volunteers and behavioral approached in patients with vestibular disorders. These studies should further the understanding of how the brain processes vestibular signals, which is to date poorly understood. In addition, the outcome of the present project should help understanding the multiple and complex symptoms reported by patients with vestibular diseases, and should therefore improve their treatment.