RESEARCH
My research is focused on the changes in vestibular function that occur with aging, and the broad-ranging functional impacts in older individuals. My work is currently supported by funding from the NIH and from private foundations. Our research questions are:
1 WHAT ARE THE CHANGES IN THE VESTIBULAR SYSTEM THAT OCCUR WITH AGING?
- The vestibular system consists of 3 semicircular canals and 2 otolith organs (the saccule and utricle). Are age-related changes in vestibular function symmetric across the 5 vestibular end-organs or are certain structures selectively impaired?
- Are there any differences by race, gender, or medical comorbidity (e.g. diabetes) in rates of age-related loss of vestibular function?
- What are the best measures of semicircular canal function and otolith function?
2 WHAT IS THE FUNCTIONAL IMPACT OF AGE-RELATED LOSS OF VESTIBULAR FUNCTION ON IMPORTANT HEALTH OUTCOMES SUCH AS GAIT AND FALL RISK?
- How does age-related loss of vestibular function influence mobility (e.g. gait speed) and fall risk?
- How does age-related loss of vestibular function influence cognitive function, specifically spatial cognition?
- How does age-related loss of vestibular function interact with other factors, e.g. vision, proprioception, to impact mobility disability and fall risk?
3 DOES TREATMENT OF AGE-RELATED LOSS OF VESTIBULAR FUNCTION (E.G. WITH REHABILITATION, PROSTHETICS) IMPROVE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES SUCH AS MOBILITY DISABILITY AND FALL RISK?
- What type of vestibular treatment is effective in the treatment of age-related vestibular loss and in reducing mobility disability and fall risk?
We are answering these questions through a number of different studies, including a collaboration with the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, analyses of national-level datasets including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), and clinical studies at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Click here to see our group's publications.