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Elucidating links between vestibular function, cognition, and sensorimotor behavior

Award Number: K01DC021147
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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Elucidating links between vestibular function, cognition, and sensorimotor behavior - Every year, nearly 25-50% of older adults fall. However, fall prevention efforts are not uniformly effective and factors contributing to fall risk are not completely understood. The vestibular system, part of the inner ear, is a known contributor to fall risk and recent evidence suggests that cognition may interact with vestibular function to influence falls. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) fall 2-3 times more than cognitively healthy adults and those with vestibular dysfunction exhibit changes in cognition. However, these relationships have not been fully elucidated. As the vestibular system is diverse, identifying which functional pathways (i.e., reflexive, perceptual, visual-vestibular integration) are related to both cognition and imbalance is vital for development of targeted interventions to reduce falls. The specific aims examine the extent to which vestibular function is associated with sensorimotor behaviors (balance and falls) in AD (Aim 1a) and the extent to which cognition is associated with sensorimotor behaviors in adults with vestibular loss (Aim 1b). Explicit comparisons between those with AD and vestibular loss will also be made (Aim 1c) in order to determine potential similarities and inform ongoing fall prevention interventions in these patient populations. Existing measures will be combined with novel laboratory techniques in order to directly inform clinical practice and elucidate fundamental mechanisms underlying fall risk. The K01 award period will enable the PI to build upon her existing clinical and research expertise in vestibular science and provide structured training in the following areas: a) aging, b) cognition and cognitive impairment, c) advanced techniques for assessment of balance and gait, and d) advanced techniques for measuring eye movements. Research and training experiences during this award period will help the PI become an independent researcher in vestibular physiology. The proposed work will take place at Ohio State University under the mentorship of Dr. Dan Merfeld and Dr. Yuri Agrawal in conjunction with subject area specific mentorship from leaders in their respective fields. The proposed training activities and research plan are consistent with the NIDCD’s strategic plan for research in balance, specifically addressing current understanding of self-motion perception in health and disease and factors contributing to imbalance and falls in older adults. The proposed training will be the foundation for future R01 applications using advanced vestibular assessment techniques to examine changes in sensory function related to diverse pathologies and relationships to postural control.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $139,320 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	4	7/25/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$139,320
														Subtotal = $139,320

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $139,320 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	004	3	7/22/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$139,320
2024	2023	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	1	2/13/2024	NEW	$1
2024	2023	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	2/9/2024	NEW	-$92,099
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	2	2/12/2024	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$92,098
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	003	2	4/2/2024	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$0
														Subtotal = $139,320

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $119,459 )
2023	2023	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	7/14/2023	NEW	$119,459
														Subtotal = $119,459

Grand Total All Awards = $398,099

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Elucidating links between vestibular function, cognition, and sensorimotor behavior

Award Number: K01DC021147

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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