Vestibular manifestations in individuals with diseases of the central nervous system
diseases of the central nervous system; vestibulo-ocular reflex; dizziness; vertigo; vestibular function tests.
Introduction: Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) affect the brain and spinal cord. CNS damage associated with vestibular symptoms occurs due to lesions in the central vestibular pathways. Objective: (1) To review the scientific literature on the applicability and results of vHIT in diseases of the CNS. (2) To characterize the neurological and vestibular findings of clinical cases diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Method: Dissertation structured in two articles. The first (1) is an integrative review of 18 scientific publications on the use of vHIT in individuals with CNS disease. The second (2) is the description of three clinical cases with MS. Results: (1) As for vHIT, the RVO gain was reduced in most studies, with the occurrence of compensatory withdrawals and described changes in oculomotor tests, such as the presence of spontaneous and semispontaneous nystagmus, in the RVO with and without visual optimization, in the test saccadic chase and tilt deviation. (2) Vestibular symptoms and alterations were observed in at least one of the clinical tests of body balance and cerebellar function. In vHIT, changes in oculomotor tests, such as the presence of semi-spontaneous nystagmus and in some parameter of saccadic chase, in addition to the reduction in gain in one or more vertical channels. The association of these findings suggests the presence of vestibular dysfunction of the mixed type, compatible with the central lesions detected in imaging exams. Conclusion: The findings of both studies provided evidence of changes in vestibular function and body balance in different neurological conditions.