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Brain responses to virtual reality visual motion stimulation are affected by neurotic personality traits in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

riccelli, roberta 
lacquaniti, francesco 
jeffrey, staab 
Indovina, iole 

Abstract

Objective: Persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a common vestibular disorder of persistent dizziness and unsteadiness, exacerbated by upright posture, self-motion, and exposure to complex or moving visual stimuli. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies found dysfunctional activity in the visual-vestibular cortices in patients with PPPD. Clinical studies showed that the anxiety-related personality traits of neuroticism and introversion may predispose individuals to PPPD. However, the effects of these traits on brain function in patients with PPPD versus healthy controls (HCs) have not been studied. Methods: To investigate potential differential effects of neuroticism and introversion on functioning of their visuo-vestibular networks, 15 patients with PPPD and 15 HCs matched for demographics and motion sickness susceptibility underwent fMRI during virtual reality simulation of a rollercoaster ride in vertical and horizontal directions. Results: Neuroticism positively correlated with activity in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFg), and enhanced connectivity between the IFg and occipital regions in patients with PPPD relative to HCs during vertical versus horizontal motion comparison. Conclusions: In patients with PPPD, neuroticism was associated with increased activity and connectivity of neural networks that mediate attention to visual motion cues during vertical motion, potentially altering the processing of visual inputs related to balance control.

Description

Keywords

Rollercoaster simulation, fMRI, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, vestibular, visual motion stimulation, Adult, Brain, Dizziness, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Motion Perception, Neuroticism, Perceptual Disorders, Postural Balance, Vestibular Diseases, Virtual Reality

Journal Title

Journal of Vestibular Research

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0957-4271
1878-6464

Volume Title

28

Publisher

IOS Press
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/P01271X/1)