van Boxel Stan C J, Stultiens Joost J A, van Hoof Marc, Vermorken Bernd L, Volpe Benjamin, Guinand Nils, Perez-Fornos Angélica, Gommer Erik D, Devocht Elke M J, Zwergal Andreas, Janssen Marcus L F, van de Berg Raymond
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Vestibular Disorders, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
J Neurol. 2025 May 29;272(6):430. doi: 10.1007/s00415-025-13158-1.
Understanding central vestibular pathways remains challenging and requires innovative measurement approaches. A vestibular implant offers unique access through specific electrical stimulation of the vestibular end organ. This study explored the feasibility of using vestibular implant stimulation to obtain vestibular evoked potentials, using electroencephalography (EEG).
A vestibular implant was used in nine participants to evoke vestibular potentials by targeting the ampullary nerves of the semicircular canals. Short latency potentials were recorded using one channel EEG on all participants. In three participants, long latency potentials were recorded with 128 channel EEG. Responses were analyzed in terms of latency, shape, and location, and tested for correlation with stimulus intensity. EEG thresholds were compared with vestibular outcome thresholds (i.e., perception and vestibulo-ocular reflexes).
The measurement setup proved feasible for obtaining vestibular potentials. A consistent short latency response, identified as the vestibular brainstem response, was identified in five participants and across targeted nerves. Long latency responses revealed defined and localized independent components, with amplitudes correlating with stimulus intensity. Electrically evoked response thresholds matched thresholds of patient perception and eye movement recordings.
Vestibular implant stimulation elicited reproducible short and long latency responses. This approach creates new opportunities for investigating vestibular processing and evaluating vestibular implant responses.
了解中枢前庭通路仍然具有挑战性，需要创新的测量方法。前庭植入物通过对前庭终器进行特定的电刺激提供了独特的途径。本研究探讨了使用前庭植入物刺激并通过脑电图（EEG）获得前庭诱发电位的可行性。
在9名参与者中使用前庭植入物，通过靶向半规管的壶腹神经来诱发前庭电位。所有参与者均使用单通道脑电图记录短潜伏期电位。在3名参与者中，使用128通道脑电图记录长潜伏期电位。从潜伏期、波形和位置方面分析反应，并测试其与刺激强度的相关性。将脑电图阈值与前庭结果阈值（即感知和前庭眼反射）进行比较。
测量设置被证明对于获得前庭电位是可行的。在5名参与者以及所有靶向神经中均识别出一种一致的短潜伏期反应，被确定为前庭脑干反应。长潜伏期反应显示出明确且局部化的独立成分，其振幅与刺激强度相关。电诱发反应阈值与患者感知和眼动记录的阈值相匹配。
前庭植入物刺激引发了可重复的短潜伏期和长潜伏期反应。这种方法为研究前庭处理和评估前庭植入物反应创造了新机会。
