AUTHOR=Elliott Karen L. , Kersigo Jennifer , Lee Jeong Han , Yamoah Ebenezer N. , Fritzsch Bernd TITLE=Sustained Loss of Bdnf Affects Peripheral but Not Central Vestibular Targets JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.768456 DOI=10.3389/fneur.2021.768456 ISSN=1664-2295 ABSTRACT=
The vestibular system is vital for proper balance perception, and its dysfunction contributes significantly to fall-related injuries, especially in the elderly. Vestibular ganglion neurons innervate vestibular hair cells at the periphery and vestibular nuclei and the uvula and nodule of the cerebellum centrally. During aging, these vestibular ganglion neurons degenerate, impairing vestibular function. A complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in neurosensory cell survival in the vestibular system is unknown. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is specifically required for the survival of vestibular ganglion neurons, as its loss leads to early neuronal death.