めまいの感覚について （第３報） 温度眼振反応のめまい感と視運動性眼振反応の年齢による違い

Abstract

During vertigo attacks, some patients complain of a strong self-rotating sensation, while others feel only a vague unsteadiness. Interested in this difference, we studied the mechanism of vertiginous sensations. In the present study, we investigated age-related changes in vertiginous sensation during the caloric test and optokinetic response. The subjects consisted of 44 volunteers (10 males and 34 females), ranging from 17 to 78 (mean 43.9) years of age. None of subjects had a history of spontaneous nystagmus, vestibular dysfunction or central nervous disorders. After obtaining informed consent, a total of 176 caloric stimuli were administered by the alternate bithermal method (30 and 44°C) to the bilateral ears of 44 subjects under ENG monitoring. Induced vertiginous sensations were recorded. OKP test was also performed in all the subjects. We obtained the following results; 1) Older subjects tended to complain of a stronger sensation of vertigo on caloric test. 2) There were no remarkable age-related changes in caloric response. 3) Older subjects showed a smaller maximal slow phase velocity on OKP test. This might be attributable to their stronger sensation of vertigo during the test.