Publications (173) View all
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Article: Baclofen affects the semicircular canals but not the otoliths in humans.
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Conclusion: This study showed that GABAB agonist baclofen (10 mg) affects the semicircular canals (SCCs), both centrally and peripherally, but does not influence the otolithic function. Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify the effects of baclofen on the complete vestibular system, i.e. semicircular canals, saccules and utricles. Methods: The study had a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated measures design and was conducted on healthy male volunteers. With electronystagmography (ENG), the SCC function was evaluated, whereas utricular function was determined by means of unilateral centrifugation (UC). Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) tested saccular integrity. Results: Baclofen caused a significant increase of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) phase and a significant decrease of the total caloric response (TCR), both measured during ENG. The drug also decreased the maximal contribution of the SCCs to ocular counter-rolling (OCR) evaluated during UC. No effects on saccules and utricules were observed.Acta oto-laryngologica 04/2013; · 0.98 Impact Factor -
Article: Does 'Cochlear Ménière's Disease' Exist? An Electrocochleographic and Audiometric Study.
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ABSTRACT: Introduction: According to current diagnostic criteria, patients exhibiting only cochlear symptoms without vertigo cannot be diagnosed with Ménière's disease (MD). The recently reported Ménière's Disease Index (MDI) combines audiometric and electrocochleographic parameters in a multidimensional measure correlating with the clinical degrees of MD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and aural fullness, but without vertigo, underwent transtympanic electrocochleography. Based on the previously reported formula, the MDI value for every patient was calculated. Results: Mean MDI value was 5.7 on a scale from 0 (mean value of non-MD patients) to 10 (mean value of definite MD patients). Conclusions: We can thus hypothesize that, based on audiometry and electrocochleography, 'cochlear MD' patients may represent a separate clinical entity with Ménière-like pathophysiology or underlying endolymphatic hydrops.Audiology and Neurotology 10/2012; 18(1):63-70. · 2.46 Impact Factor -
Article: The vocal quality in female student teachers during the 3 years of study.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to determine the objective vocal quality and the vocal characteristics (vocal risk factors, vocal and corporal complaints) in 143 female student teachers during the 3 years of study. The objective vocal quality was measured by means of the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI). Perceptual voice assessment, the Voice Handicap Index, questionnaires addressing vocal risks, and vocal and corporal complaints during and/or after voice usage were performed. Student teachers have a normal perceptual and objective vocal quality corresponding with a DSI% of 76. The analysis of variance revealed a significant improvement of the vocal quality between the first and the third year of study. No psychosocial handicapping effect of the voice was observed, though there are some vocal complaints and almost all student teachers reported the presence of corporal pain during and/or after speaking. Especially sore throat and headache were mentioned as the most present corporal pain symptoms. Due to the decreased awareness and the multifactorial genesis of the potential vocal risk factors, the student teachers are at risk for developing an occupational dysphonia during their teaching career. Because teaching is a high-risk profession for the development of voice problems, the incorporation of a direct vocal training technique to increase vocal endurance during teaching together with a vocal hygiene program, dietetics, and a stress management training program during the 3 years of study is needed to prevent occupational dysphonia.Journal of voice: official journal of the Voice Foundation 10/2009; 24(5):599-605. · 0.95 Impact Factor -
Article: Increased handicap in vertigo patients with a type-D personality
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the role of personality and its relationship to the symptom of vertigo, in a cross-sectional survey of 88 patients with a peripheral vestibular disorder at a tertiary referral centre. All 88 patients underwent a vestibular evaluation at the Vestibular Function Laboratory (Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery) at Antwerp University Hospital. Five pathology groups were considered: Ménière's disease (n=29), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) of the posterior semicircular canal (n=23), vestibular neuritis (n=8), vestibular schwannoma (n=20), post-traumatic non-BPPV vertigo (n=8). Personality type-D was assessed with the type-D Personality Scale-16 (DS16) questionnaire. In order to evaluate whether or not subjects with a ‘distressed’ personality (type-D) perceive more handicap than others due to their vertigo symptoms, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores between type-D and non-type-D subjects were compared. Secondly, we examined whether or not a type-D personality is more prevalent in Ménière's disease (MD) patients than in other patients experiencing vertigo. We found that type-D subjects had significantly higher DHI scores (DHI total score: mean 40.5, SD 25.7) compared with non-type-D subjects (mean 26.4, SD 19.9) (p=0.015). The link between type-D personality and disease severity was most pronounced in the emotional aspects of vertigo, as indicated by the DHI emotional subscale (p=0.007), and secondly in the functional aspects (DHI functional subscale, p=0.033). Type-D personality was not significantly more prevalent in MD compared to other patients with vertigo. These findings suggest that in patients with vertigo, symptom severity should be considered in view of the effect of having a type-D personality. A multidimensional approach may be valuable in the assessment of patients presenting with symptoms of vertigo, because a subgroup with type-D personality might benefit from psychological therapies.07/2009; 5(3):169-175. -
Article: Adverse ventricular remodeling and exacerbated NOS uncoupling from pressure-overload in mice lacking the beta3-adrenoreceptor.
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ABSTRACT: Stimulation of the beta-adrenergic system is important in the pathological response to sustained cardiac stress, forming the rationale for the use of beta-blockers in heart failure. The beta3-adrenoreceptor (AR) is thought to couple to the inhibitory G-protein, G(i), with downstream signaling through nitric oxide, although its role in the heart remains controversial. In this study, we tested whether lack of beta3-AR influences the myocardial response to pressure-overload. Baseline echocardiography in mice lacking beta3-AR (beta3(-/-)) compared to wild type (WT) showed mild LV hypertrophy at 8 weeks that worsened as they aged. beta3(-/-) mice had much greater mortality after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) than WT controls. By 3 weeks of TAC, systolic function was worse. After 9 weeks of TAC, beta3(-/-) mice also had greater LV dilation, myocyte hypertrophy and enhanced fibrosis. NOS activity declined in beta3(-/-)TAC hearts after 9 weeks, and total and NOS-dependent superoxide rose, indicating heightened oxidative stress and NOS uncoupling. The level of eNOS phosphorylation in beta3(-/-)TAC hearts was diminished, and nNOS and iNOS expression levels were increased. GTP cyclohydrolase-1 expression was reduced, although total BH4 levels were not depleted. 3 weeks of BH4 treatment rescued beta3(-/-) mice from worsened remodeling after TAC, and lowered NOS-dependent superoxide. Thus, lack of beta3-AR signaling exacerbates cardiac pressure-overload induced remodeling and enhances NOS uncoupling and consequent oxidant stress, all of which can be rescued with exogenous BH4. These data suggest a cardioprotective role for the beta3-AR in modulating oxidative stress and adverse remodeling in the failing heart.Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 07/2009; 47(5):576-85. · 5.17 Impact Factor
