title: Use of 64-channel electroencephalography to study neural otolith-evoked responses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a myogenic response that can be used clinically to evaluate the function of the saccule. However, to date, little is known about the thalamo-cortical representation of saccular activation. It is important to understand all aspects of the VEMP, as this test is currently used clinically in the evaluation of saccular function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the areas of the brain that are activated in response to stimuli used clinically to evoke the VEMP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings combined with current density analyses were used to identify the areas of the brain that are activated in response to stimuli presented above VEMP threshold (500 Hz, 120 dB peak SPL [pSPL] tone bursts), as compared to stimuli presented below VEMP threshold (90 dB pSPL, 500 Hz tone bursts). Ten subjects without any history of balance or hearing impairment participated in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The neural otolith-evoked responses (NOERs) recorded in response to stimuli presented below VEMP threshold were absent or smaller than NOERs that were recorded in response to stimuli presented above VEMP threshold. Subsequent analyses with source localization techniques, followed by statistical analysis with SPM5 (Statistical Parametric Mapping), revealed several areas that were activated in response to the 120 dB pSPL tone bursts. These areas included the primary visual cortex, the precuneus, the precentral gyrus, the medial temporal gyrus, and the superior temporal gyrus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study found a number of specific brain areas that may be activated by otolith stimulation. Given the findings and source localization techniques (which required limited input from the investigator as to where the sources are believed to be located in the brain) used in the present study as well as the similarity in findings between studies employing galvanic stimuli, fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), and scalp-recorded potentials in response to VEMP-eliciting stimuli, our study provides additional evidence that these brain regions are activated in response to stimuli that can be used clinically to evoke the VEMP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA. kmszalda@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McNerney
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lockwood
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Coad
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wack
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Burkard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology; D058585:Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult