# Vestibular System Function Following Blast Exposure

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $425,355

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Blast exposures are unfortunately becoming a common experience in the military and public domains.
Balance disorders, including dizziness, visual instability, and spatial disorientation are among the most
common symptoms reported in blast injury patients. Although the etiology is unknown, it is possible that
damage to the vestibular receptors and their innervating afferents has occurred, even with low blast intensity
levels. We have developed a whole body blast generator (shock tube) for rodent use that delivers a pressure
waveform which mimics that produced by improvised explosive devices (IED). We will capitalize on our unique
expertise in vestibular research to perform a combination of anatomical, physiological, and behavioral studies
to gain insight into how the vestibular system is affected by blast exposure and leads to vestibular dysfunction.
In Aim 1, we will examine the anatomical structure of the semicircular canal and otolith receptors in C57/Bl6
mice, as well as their innervating afferents, in groups of animals receiving different intensities of a single blast
wave exposure at multiple post-blast survival days and compare them to same age litter-mate controls with no
blast exposure. In Aim 2, we will examine the dynamic response properties of canal and otolith afferents to
motion stimulation following blast exposure. In Aim 3, we will examine the response vestibuloocular reflex
(VOR) and its neural correlates in the vestibular nuclei in animals exposed to the same blast conditions and
compare them to non-blast litter mate controls. Together, these experiments seek to understand how blast
exposure affects vestibular system structure and function so that more effective protective measures and
treatment options can be developed for blast exposure patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10348790
- **Project number:** 5R01DC019515-02
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** J David Dickman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $425,355
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10348790

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10348790, Vestibular System Function Following Blast Exposure (5R01DC019515-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10348790. Licensed CC0.

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