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Ever Wonder Why Grandma Seems Dizzy or Loses Her Balance?
ST. PAUL, MN ñ Unexplained dizziness or loss of balance in older people is caused by brain abnormalities, not just normal aging, according to a study published in the August issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
For people over age 75, the unexplained feeling of dizziness and loss of balance known as disequilibrium, is one of the most common reasons to seek help from a neurologist. Determining the cause of disequilibrium is often complicated by the effects of medications and muscle weakness.
"Our study determined that patients with unexplained disequilibrium have more white matter lesions and atrophy of the brain," said neurologist and study author Robert Baloh, MD, of the University of California, Los Angeles. "These brain lesions create balance problems that make walking more difficult; this leads to more falls." White matter lesions are small brain damage areas often caused by a gradual blocking of small arteries in the brain.
During a five-year study, researchers investigated 29 patients who have disequilibrium with an unknown cause. (Disequilibrium can be caused by other conditions including stroke or brain or spinal injury.) Patients with disequilibrium were compared to 29 patients with no balance problems or feelings of dizziness.
Study participants were a mean age of 79, had normal hearing for their age, lived independently and were able to perform routine activities of daily living. Patients with disequilibrium had greater difficulty walking and experienced more falls and had greater concerns about falling than healthy patients.
"Surprisingly, by the fifth year of the study, patients with disequilibrium developed few changes in walking or balance, but showed more difficulty on mental ability and fine motor tests. For some patients, impaired mental and fine motor skills develop late in the course of disequilibrium," said Baloh.
Researchers evaluated each patientÃs health history, then performed tests to measure walking and balance, hearing, fine motor skills such as picking up small objects and daily living tasks that include bathing and finances. Patients filled out a questionnaire to help researchers measure concerns about falling; actual falls were recorded by patients. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam was performed to rule out other possible causes of balance and walking dysfunction; none were found.
"This study is only the beginning; we are still searching for ways to prevent and treat the condition," said Baloh. Research was supported by the National Institute on Aging.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 15,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is celebrating its 50th year of improving patient care through education and research.
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