# Novel Neuromodulation Treatment of Age Related Vestibular Loss to Improve Balance and Gait in Elderly Individuals

> **NIH NIH R01** · RBHS-SCHOOL/ HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS · 2021 · $546,181

## Abstract

Abstract
Loss of neural function is a common problem with aging and disease. To treat this loss, current
neural stimulators have used various forms of stimulation that putatively activate neurons to
elicit neuromodulation. Generally these stimulators rely on a fixed frequency and amplitude
stimulus. Recently, we have found that subperceptual levels of random electrical stimulation
applied to the vestibular system produce improvements in vestibular-mediated reflex function,
balance and gait demonstrating the use of low levels of electrical stimulation to enhance the
natural neural signaling of the vestibular system without exogenous stimulus. The goal of this
present work is to demonstrate the sustained improvement of balance and gait by applying low
levels of random electrical stimulation to the vestibular system of elderly individuals with
vestibular hypofunction. We hypothesize that elderly participants will display functional
improvement with sustained low levels of random electrical stimulation. This work will establish
parameters for viable treatment of age related vestibular loss in elderly individuals using safe
and effective amounts of electrical stimulation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10275726
- **Project number:** 1R01AG073161-01
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-SCHOOL/ HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS
- **Principal Investigator:** JORGE M. SERRADOR
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $546,181
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10275726

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10275726, Novel Neuromodulation Treatment of Age Related Vestibular Loss to Improve Balance and Gait in Elderly Individuals (1R01AG073161-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10275726. Licensed CC0.

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