Postural control in episodic ataxia type 2: no evidence for increased vestibular excitability.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Patients with episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) suffer from recurrent paroxysmal episodes of vertigo and oscillopsia. Pathophysiologically, altered neuronal excitability has been suspected. Vestibular excitability in 22 EA2 patients and 22 age-matched healthy participants was compared.

Methods

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) was used to assess vestibular excitability by vestibular motion perception thresholds and mean postural sway velocity during various visual and proprioceptive conditions in the two groups. Control stimuli using sham and no GVS were established to identify the specificity of GVS-induced postural sway.

Results

In the baseline condition, EA2 patients showed larger postural instability. However, motion perception thresholds and

SUBMITTER: von der Gablentz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11622321 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature