How the brain combines vision and balance after concussion
Altered Central Multisensory Processing in Post-concussion Vestibular Dysfunction
Looking at whether changes in how the brain uses visual and balance signals relate to ongoing dizziness and motion sensitivity in people with persistent vestibular problems after a concussion.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251818 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have MRI scans while viewing visual and motion scenes and while resting so the team can map how visual and eye-movement signals connect with balance centers in the brain. Researchers will combine task-based fMRI, resting-state connectivity analysis, and clinical balance and symptom testing to find brain patterns linked to symptoms. They will compare people with persistent post-concussion vestibular symptoms to people without those symptoms to define brain-based subtypes. The goal is to explain why motion sensitivity persists in some people and point to more targeted rehab approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who continue to have dizziness, motion sensitivity, or balance problems after a concussion would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without a concussion history or whose dizziness is clearly caused by a non-concussion peripheral vestibular disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify brain-based subtypes that guide more personalized rehabilitation and reduce long-term dizziness and motion sensitivity.
How similar studies have performed: A prior pilot fMRI study found abnormal activation and altered visual-vestibular connectivity linked to symptom severity, but larger confirmatory work is still needed.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Jason William — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Allen, Jason William
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.