| Title: | Vestibular dysfunction: a hidden risk factor for Alzheimer's disease |
| Journal: | Journal of Neurology |
| Published: | 25 Mar 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40131480/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-025-13045-9 |
| URL: | https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00415-025-13045-9.pdf |
Publication 15854
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Abstract
BackgroundLondon taxi drivers' navigationally challenged hippocampi are known to be enlarged, and reduced Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related mortality has recently been shown in similarly well-versed drivers, implying a neuroprotective effect through hippocampal engagement. Vestibular function has been linked to hippocampal size, suggesting that vestibular input may influence AD risk.MethodsIncluding 16 known modifiable lifestyle factors as covariates, we analyzed UK Biobank (UKB) volunteers aged over 55 years and without dementia at baseline to assess how peripheral vestibular dysfunction (PVD) influences the likelihood of an AD diagnosis.Results4684 AD and 2133 PVD cases were identified based on their ICD diagnoses; even accounting for other risk factors, PVD increased the risk of AD 1.7 times in UKB volunteers.DiscussionVestibular loss, linked to hippocampal atrophy and default mode network disruption, appears to increase AD risk. Consequently, active vestibular stimulation by balance training or neuromodulation could offer potential for modifying AD progression.</p>
10 Keywords
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Alzheimer Disease
- Female
- Hippocampus
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Risk Factors
- Vestibular Diseases
6 Authors
- Carolin Anna Maria Koriath
- Boris Rauchmann
- Florian Schoeberl
- Andreas Zwergal
- Peter Falkai
- Robert Perneczky
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 69623 | Gene-environment interaction of modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and their associations with structural and functional MRI in the UK Biobank |
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