title: Molecular aging of the mammalian vestibular system.
abstract: Dizziness and imbalance frequently affect the elderly and contribute to falls and frailty. In many geriatric patients, clinical testing uncovers a dysfunction of the vestibular system, but no specific etiology can be identified. Neuropathological studies have demonstrated age-related degeneration of peripheral and central vestibular neurons, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In contrast, recent studies into age-related hearing loss strongly implicate mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death of cochlear hair cells. While some data suggest that analogous biological pathomechanisms may underlie vestibular dysfunction, actual proof is missing. In this review, we summarize the available data on the molecular causes of vestibular dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Department of Neurology, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: brosel@biologie.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brosel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology with Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laub
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology with Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Averdam
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Therapiezentrum Burgau, Kapuzinerstr.34, 89331 Burgau, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology with Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Hospital Munich-Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Englschalkingerstr. 77, 81925 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elstner
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Aging; Mammals; Mitochondria; Neuropathology; Therapy; Vestibular system