Age-related changes in vestibular evoked myogenic potentials using a modified blood pressure manometer feedback method.
OBJECTIVE
To collect age-specific vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) data and to characterize age-related differences in VEMP parameters using a modified blood pressure manometer (BPM) method of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle monitoring.


METHODS
VEMPs were recorded on healthy adults ranging in age from 23 to 84 years with no history of dizziness, neuromuscular pathologies, or cervical complaints. Participants were assigned to 3 groups using a nonprobability static group assignment based on their age. VEMP P1 and N1 latency, threshold, peak-to-peak amplitude, and interamplitude difference (IAD) ratios were obtained at 130 dB SPL.


RESULTS
Statistical differences were detected in peak-to-peak mean amplitude and threshold measures among groups. Post hoc analysis revealed that differences shown were between the young group and both older groups. No significant differences were noted in P1 and N1 latencies or IAD ratios.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed a significant decline in VEMP amplitude and increase in VEMP thresholds in healthy older persons. Normative age-related data may be necessary to properly interpret VEMP recordings in a clinical setting when evaluating aging populations. The BPM method utilized for controlling SCM muscle may be a valuable alternative to control SCM muscle contraction when electromyography equipment is not available.
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA. btourtillott@gmail.com
Brandon M
BM
Tourtillott
John A
JA
Ferraro
Ali
A
Bani-Ahmed
Elaine
E
Almquist
Nandini
N
Deshpande
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D058585:Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult