Work

Age-related decline in vestibulo-ocular reflex gain is associated with an increased sway response to electrical vestibular stimulation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Up to 40% of vestibular hair cells are lost by age 70, but eye movements are only mildly affected, suggesting peripheral loss is mitigated by increasing neural gain. We investigated this hypothesis by applying electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) to estimate central gain in volunteers aged 20-87 yr. EVS-evoked balance responses systematically increased with age, whereas vestibular-ocular reflex gain reduced. This is consistent with an increase in central neural gain to compensate for age-related peripheral loss.

Source: Journal of Neurophysiology

DOI: 10.1152/jn.00110.2026

Authors: Callum J. Osler, Raymond F. Reynolds

Institutions: University of Derby, University of Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Vestibular and auditory disorders

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council