Noise Enhanced Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation in Hemispatial Neglect
Noise Enhanced Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation in Hemispatial Neglect
The purpose of the current proposal is to pilot a new and potentially improved treatment for neglect. The procedure involves the delivery of transcutaneous small-amplitude current to the vestibular nerves that lie directly below the mastoid bones.
The purpose of the current proposal is to pilot a new and potentially improved treatment for neglect. The procedure involves the delivery of transcutaneous small-amplitude current to the vestibular nerves that lie directly below the mastoid bones. With the intention of boosting activity in the damaged left hemisphere, positive and negative current is delivered to the left and right mastoids respectively. While successfully used to rehabilitate gait and balance disorders, the procedure has only once been applied to neglect.
In the present investigation, we will first confirm and then optimize the conditions under which galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) ameliorates neglect. This in turn will justify subsequent work (in a later funding cycle) that will demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the treatment on a much larger clinical scale, and merit the construction of a miniaturized portable device.
Inclusion Criteria:
All participants must be literate in English
Right handed
Have corrected near-visual acuity of 20/40 or better
Patients must also have a minimum of twelve years education
These inclusionary criteria are based on the data of both Black, Yu, Martin, and Szalai (90) and our own studies.
Exclusion Criteria:
Exclusionary criteria include: