Unraveling how aging affects balance from ear signals to brain processing
Official title: Contribution of vestibular dysfunction and its central multisensory integration to imbalance in aging
Funded at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · NIH-11381005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores why balance worsens with age by studying how vestibular signals, vision, and touch interact with brain processing to cause falls in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $581,711 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075532-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381005 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older, especially those with a history of falls or balance problems, who can participate in balance and sensory testing.
✕Less likely to help
Older adults without balance issues or those unable to participate in testing may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
As people age, many systems that keep us steady decline, and this project focuses on how sensory inputs from the inner ear, vision, and touch, together with brain processing, contribute to imbalance. Researchers will study vestibular cues related to head motion and orientation and examine how these signals are integrated with other senses and motor control in older adults, including those with a history of falls. The work aims to build a foundation for targeted interventions, such as vestibular therapies or non-invasive brain stimulation, to reduce fall risk. The project will also broaden our understanding of the neural principles behind balance in both aging and health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to more precise ways to prevent falls in older adults by tailoring therapies to their specific sensory and brain-processing profiles.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that sensory integration and vestibular function relate to balance; this project builds on that foundation with a focus on aging and central processing.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karmali, Faisal — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Karmali, Faisal
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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.