Vestibular implant to improve navigation and thinking after inner-ear balance damage
Vestibular implant tested in patients with peripheral vestibular damage: effects on spatial orientation, navigation, and neuropsychologic function
This project tests whether a small implanted device that restores head-motion signals can help people with severe vestibular (inner-ear) damage with navigation, orientation, and cognitive problems.
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 ID | NIH-11177904 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, some participants with severe vestibular damage will receive a vestibular implant that senses head movement and electrically stimulates balance nerves, and they will be followed long-term while the device is turned on. The research team will give navigation tasks, spatial-orientation tests, and standard neuropsychological assessments to measure changes in thinking and memory tied to balance signals. A parallel group of patients who do not receive implants but have varying degrees of vestibular loss will be studied for comparison. Outcomes will focus on whether prosthetic vestibular input can reduce cognitive and navigation difficulties and improve daily function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with significant, typically bilateral, vestibular (inner-ear balance) damage who have related problems with spatial orientation, navigation, or cognition and who can undergo implantation and follow-up testing.
Not a fit: People with only mild vestibular loss, cognitive problems from other causes, or who cannot have surgery or long-term follow-up are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the implant could lessen dizziness-related memory and navigation problems and improve daily independence for people with severe vestibular loss.
How similar studies have performed: Prior vestibular implant work in animals and humans has improved eye-movement and some balance functions, but using implants specifically to improve higher-level cognitive and navigation problems is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewis, Richard F — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- Study coordinator: Lewis, Richard F
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.