This session discussed on major clinical and basic research
findings in the field of neuro-otology.
We especially welcome papers with an interdisciplinary focus on subjects that
bridge the areas of neurology, neurophysiology,
neuroanatomy,
vestibular and audiological research. Apart from cerebellar and brainstem
disorders, high-priority subjects will include a) peripheral
vestibular disorders such as benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo,
Menière’s disease, vestibular neuritis, bilateral vestibulopathy, vestibular
paroxysmia and perilymph fistula; b) hearing problems and tinnitus; c) central
vestibular disorders such as vestibular migraine, downbeat and upbeat
nystagmus syndrome, other forms of central nystagmus and episodic ataxias; and
d) psychogenic and somatoform forms of vertigo such as phobic postural vertigo.
Complementary areas of interest are:
- the anatomy, physiology, molecular
biology and genetics of the peripheral and central vestibular, and
audiological as well as related ocular motor and cerebellar
systems in humans;
- the pathophysiology and pathological anatomy of these
systems;
- animal models of the relevant disorders;
- structural and functional imaging with fMRI and PET for
new insights into how the vestibular and other sensory systems
interact;
- Clinical and laboratory examinations of the vestibular,
ocular motor and audiological
systems;
- Diagnostic criteria of the different vestibular and
audiological syndromes as well as related balance and gait disorders;
- Pilot studies and treatment trials for physiotherapy,
pharmacotherapy and psychological and surgical therapy for neuro-otological
disorders;
- Epidemiology,
quality of life and functioning in patients with vertigo, dizziness and balance
or gait disorders.
In particular, interdisciplinary studies can advance our
basic and clinical knowledge of vertigo, dizziness, imbalance and gait
disorders as well as hearing problems, and also inspire in-depth research to
further, elucidate the complicated interactions between the nervous system
and the auditory/vestibular systems.