Relationship Between Dizziness With Cognitive Impairment

Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms in the elderly. Various vestibular disorders, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease, vestibular migraine, can cause dizziness. The vestibular system consists of the peripheral vestibular organs in the inner ear and the extensive central nervous system from the cerebellum and brainstem to the thalamus to cortex. In particularly, vestibular sensory input plays a important role in spatial cognitive abilities such as spatial memory and spatial navigation. In the elderly, cognitive decline, such as mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, is a very frightening disease that worsens the quality of life. It is possible to evaluate vestibular dysfunction through vestibular function test, and there are various evaluation methods for cognitive function. The evidence has been gradually accumulating to suggest that the balance organs or ‘vestibular system,’ might also be important in the development of cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Animal studies, pathologic and imaging evidence, and behavioral assays on the relationship between various diseases related to dizziness and cognitive dysfunction are supporting that. Given that vestibular dysfunction can be treated through physical-therapy such as vestibular rehabilitation, identifying and treating dizziness in older adults with and without cognitive impairment may provide potential benefits in preventing, mitigating cognitive decline.