Towards a national animal vestibular function testing platform: Development of a national vestibulo-ocular reflex testing facility for rodents.
Principle Investigator: Prof. Paul Smith (University of Otago). Associate Investigators: Dr Yiwen Zheng (University of Otago), Prof. Peter Thorne and A/P Srdjan Vlajkovic (University of Auckland)
The vestibular system regulates our balance. Approximately 35% of people aged 40 or over have suffered from some form of vestibular dysfunction and the incidence of vestibular deficits increases with age, reaching almost 50% over the age of 60. The consequences of dysfunction of the vestibular system in humans can be severe and extremely debilitating and in the worst case scenario, people lead very restricted lives, with high rates of anxiety disorders and depression.
Extensive research on the effects of unilateral and bilateral vestibular dysfunction has been carried out in NZ, however we do not currently have a facility that records the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), the most direct measure of vestibular function, in animal subjects. The anticipated growth of animal vestibular research within the Eisdell Moore Centre requires adequate vestibular function testing approaches. The aim of this project is to develop a national testing facility at the University of Otago for the measurement of VOR function in rats and mice, which can then be used in collaborative research with colleagues at the University of Auckland and elsewhere.