title: Association Between Visuospatial Ability and Vestibular Function in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between vestibular loss associated with aging and age-related decline in visuospatial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis within a prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-dwelling BLSA participants with a mean age of 72 (range 26-91) (N = 183).
  
  
  METHODS
  Vestibular function was measured using vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials. Visuospatial cognitive tests included Card Rotations, Purdue Pegboard, Benton Visual Retention Test, and Trail-Making Test Parts A and B. Tests of executive function, memory, and attention were also considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants underwent vestibular and cognitive function testing. In multiple linear regression analyses, poorer vestibular function was associated with poorer performance on Card Rotations (P = .001), Purdue Pegboard (P = .005), Benton Visual Retention Test (P = 0.008), and Trail-Making Test Part B (P = .04). Performance on tests of executive function and verbal memory were not significantly associated with vestibular function. Exploratory factor analyses in a subgroup of participants who underwent all cognitive tests identified three latent cognitive abilities: visuospatial ability, verbal memory, and working memory and attention. Vestibular loss was significantly associated with lower visuospatial and working memory and attention factor scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant consistent associations between vestibular function and tests of visuospatial ability were observed in a sample of community-dwelling adults. Impairment in visuospatial skills is often one of the first signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate whether the relationship between vestibular function and visuospatial ability is causal.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Robin T
authors: RT
authors: Bigelow
authors: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Yevgeniy R
authors: YR
authors: Semenov
authors: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Trevino
authors: Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Ferrucci
authors: Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Resnick
authors: Longitudinal Studies Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Eleanor M
authors: EM
authors: Simonsick
authors: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.|Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Qian-Li
authors: QL
authors: Xue
authors: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Yuri
authors: Y
authors: Agrawal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015142:Baltimore; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: aging; cognition; vestibular function; visuospatial ability