title: Understanding the links between vestibular and limbic systems regulating emotions.
abstract: Vestibular system, which consists of structures in the inner ear and brainstem, plays a vital role is body balance and patient well-being. In recent years, modulating this system by vestibular stimulation techniques are reported to be effective in stress relief and possibly patient's emotional well-being. Emotions refer to an aroused state involving intense feeling, autonomic activation, and related change in behavior, which accompany many of our conscious experiences. The limbic system is primarily involved in the regulation of emotions. Considering the extensive networks between vestibular and limbic system, it is likely that vestibular stimulation techniques may be useful in influencing emotions. Hence, we review here, the possible mechanisms through which vestibular system can influence emotions and highlight the necessary knowledge gaps, which warrants further research to develop vestibular stimulation techniques as a means to treat health conditions associated with emotional disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajagopalan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Little Flower Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Angamaly, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Jinu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Little Flower Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Angamaly, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Kumar Sai
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Sailesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Soumya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: International Stress Management Association-India, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: Udaya Kumar
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Little Flower Medical Research Centre, Angamaly, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Joseph Kurien
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mukkadan
keywords: Central nervous system and autonomic nervous system; emotions; mental health; vestibular system