The influence of vestibular stimulation on metabolism and body composition

Abstract

Obesity, diabetes and metabolic disease represent an ongoing and rapidly worsening public health issue in both the developed, and much of the developing world. Although there are many factors that influence fat storage, it has been clearly demonstrated that the homeostatic cornerstone of metabolism lies within the hypothalamus. Moreover, neuronal damage to vital areas of the hypothalamus can drive reregulation or dysregulation of endocrine function, energy expenditure and appetite, thereby promoting a shift in overall metabolic function towards a state of obesity. Therefore, identification of treatments that influence the hypothalamus to improve obesity and associated metabolic diseases has long been a medical goal. Interestingly, evidence from animal studies suggests that activating the vestibular system, specifically the macular gravity receptor, influences the hypothalamus in a way that decreases body fat storage and causes a metabolic shift towards a leaner state. Given that the macular element of the vestibular system has been shown to activate with transdermal electrical stimulation applied to the mastoids, this may be a potential therapeutic approach for obesity, diabetes or related metabolic diseases, whereby repetitive stimulation of the vestibular system influences hypothalamic control of metabolic homeostasis, thereby encouraging decreased fat storage. Here, we present an up‐to‐date review of the current literature surrounding the vestibular influence of the hypothalamus and associated homeostatic sites in the context of current and novel therapeutic approaches for improved clinical management of obesity and diabetes.

Roles of the vestibular system in obesity and impaired glucose metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice

“…Alternatively, a review by Sailesh et al proposed that vestibular stimulation affects diabetic state by increasing insulin secretion through modulating autonomic nerve activity based on some preliminary evidence [33]. Moreover, the vestibular system might affect glucose and energy metabolism through various endocrine factors, including cortisol and thyroid hormone [21]. Since VL significantly suppressed serum insulin levels elevated by HSHFD and the slight, but not calorie intake from control (Cont) and aVL mice fed ND or HSHFD.…”

“…Long-term space flight increases insulin resistance and impairs the vestibular function in astronauts [3,20]. Several centrifugation studies suggest that the macular gravity receptor (MGR) influences the Medial Vestibular Nucleus (MVe) and further projects into many of the homeostatic nuclei of the brain stem and hypothalamus that are responsible for energy regulation and metabolic homeostasis [21]. Fuller et al reported that wild-type mice subjected to vestibular stimulation via centrifugation for a period of 8 weeks exhibit an initial decrease in food intake and prolonged body fat reduction, which are not observed in macular otoconia-deficient mice [22].…”

“…Fuller et al reported that wild-type mice subjected to vestibular stimulation via centrifugation for a period of 8 weeks exhibit an initial decrease in food intake and prolonged body fat reduction, which are not observed in macular otoconia-deficient mice [22]. These findings suggest that the vestibular system influences metabolism and energy regulation [21,22]. However, the details in the mechanisms by which the vestibular system regulates energy and glucose metabolism remain unclear.In the present study, we examined the influence and mechanism of action of VL on obesity and impaired glucose metabolism using high-sucrose/high-fat diet (HSHFD)-fed obese mice with VL induced by surgery and toxic chemicals to clarify the roles of the vestibular system in diet-induced obesity and impaired glucose metabolism.…”

“…Fuller et al reported that wild-type mice subjected to vestibular stimulation via centrifugation for a period of 8 weeks exhibit an initial decrease in food intake and prolonged body fat reduction, which are not observed in macular otoconia-deficient mice [22]. These findings suggest that the vestibular system influences metabolism and energy regulation [21,22]. However, the details in the mechanisms by which the vestibular system regulates energy and glucose metabolism remain unclear.…”

A systematic review of vestibular stimulation in cerebral palsy

“…Alternatively, the vestibular system can be stimulated by way of electrical current delivered via self-adhesive pads on the mastoid processes, frequently known as Galvanic Nerve Stimulation [19][20][21][22][23][24] or Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) [25]. Early clinical research has reported that VeNS improves postural stability in persons with Parkinson's Disease [19][20][21], bilateral vestibulopathy [22], and the elderly population [23][24], potentially via vestibular neuroplasticity and enhanced vestibular information processing [23], however there is a paucity of evidence in people with CP.…”