The following New Zealand researchers are presently engaged in research into the balance system:
Professor Peter Thorne at the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland
Investigating the blood-labyrinth barrier and inner ear inflammation in development of inner ear diseases, including Menière's disease, using various MRI approaches.
Associate Professor Denise Taylor at the Auckland University of Technology with Stefan Marks Michel Neef, Michelle Wong, Andrew Curry and Lisa Goulart from the New Zealand Dizziness and Balance Centre
The development of an immersive 3-D computer based intervention for visual vertigo to develop an interactive, fully immersive virtual reality system that progressively challenges the use of the visual system in balance control.
A study to explore chronic subjective dizziness (CSD) and its impact on the lives of working age adults.
Dr Stuart Mossman and Anne Burston (Physiotherapist) at the University of Otago, Wellington
Audit of the management of vertigo in an Emergency Department prior to the availability of video-oculography with head impulse testing.
Natural recovery of vestibular neuritis, comparing video head impulse testing with caloric testing.
Pilot study assessing the efficacy of a questionnaire as a screening method to help in the diagnosis of patients with chronic subjective dizziness(CSD).
Diurnal variations in the results of the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre.
Associate Professor Philip Bird and Professor Evan Begg at the University of Otago, Christchurch
A comparison corticosteroid entry to the inner ear by systemic and direct intratympanic routes.
Associate Professor Greg O'Beirne, Dr Melissa Babbage and Associate Professor Philp Bird at the Universities of Canterbury and Otago, Christchurch
A study, using ultra-high frequency testing and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) to investigate potential injury to the otoloithic organs following stapedectomy, ossciculoplasty and tympanoplasty.
Associate Professor Greg O'Beirne at the University of Canterbury
Development of an automated system for combined measurement of oVEMPs and cVEMPs (visual evoked myogenic potentials).
Development of Te Pihareinga - an automated system for measuring auditory-evoked potentials, including electrocochleography (ECochG), direct eighth nerve monitoring (DENM), and the auditory brainstem response(ABR).
Professor Jeremy Hornibrook at the Universities of Canterbury and Otago, Christchurch
Studies on the use of tone burst electrocochleography (ECochG) to diagnose Menière's disease, to help distinguish it from vestibular migraine and vestibular paroxysmia.
Comparision of the sensitivity of MRI inner ear imaging and tone burst electrocochleography (ECochG) for diagnosing Menière's disease.
Trialling a potential new technique to image the vestibular cortex on functional MRI (fMRI).
Associate Professor Leigh Hale at the University of Otago, Dunedin
Research on community-based falls prevention for older adults and with intellectual disability, and developing
and testing measures of balance in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Associate Professor Cynthia Darlington at the University of Otago, Dunedin
Studies of the human vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in humans with and without vestibular lesions.
Use of the CANTAB cognitive assessment to study the effects of vestibular function of cognitive abilities mediated by the hippococampus.
Dr. Yiwen Zheng at the University of Otago, Dunedin
Mechanisms of tinnitus, the neuronal basis of tinnitus.
Professor Paul Smith at the University of Otago, Dunedin
Neuronal changes in the vestibular nucleus following unilateral vestibular lesions.
The interaction between the vestibular system and the hippocampus, and its contribution to cognitive function.
Dr Nick Cutfield at CoRE Brain Research at the University of Otago, Dunedin
Comparison of caloric testing with head impulse testing.
Collaboration with Cynthia Darlington and Paul Smith on spatial memory testing.
Combined Neurology/ENT young adult vestibular rehabilitation clinic.