This page is dedicated to the Vestibular Disorders research study, one of 57 studies supported by the Boston Children’s Rare Disease Collaborative (CRDC). For more information about the CRDC, please visit our home page. Established in 2018, the CRDC supports pediatric rare disease research and provides families with genetic diagnoses that enable personalized treatments, including precision medicine and targeted therapies.

The Vestibular Disorders research study, established at Boston Children’s in 2021 and led by Drs. Eliot Shearer and Jacob Brodsky, has enrolled 48 patients and their families.

Disease information

Vestibular disorders affect the sensory organs in the inner ear that detect head movements. A child's ability to balance is controlled by their vestibular function, as well as their vision and sensation of the joints and muscles (proprioception).

It is estimated that 10-15% of individuals with vestibular disorders have an underlying genetic cause for their condition. Learn more about vestibular disorders at Boston Children’s.

Key outcomes

To date, 4% of patients received diagnostic results that led to changes in treatment plans, and additional candidate findings in 8% of patients are being further researched.

Genes of interest

ADGRV1 CDH23 CLRN1 COCH DFNA5 DFNA9 DFNA11 DFNA15 DFNA28 DTNA FAM136A MYO7A PCDH15 SLC26A4 TECTA USH1C

Participate in research

Physicians may refer their patients with vestibular disorders to Drs. Shearer or Brodsky. Once study eligibility is confirmed, a research coordinator will reach out to the family to consent and enroll them. Read more about their research on their researcher profiles: Dr. Shearer and Dr. Brodsky.

Patient care

Patients and their families with vestibular disorders can be seen by an expert multidisciplinary team in the Balance and Vestibular Program at Boston Children’s. Learn more about vestibular disorders.

Investigators

Divisions

Notable publications by investigators

Disease support organizations

American Migraine Foundation

American Migraine Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports millions of migraine patients. Its mission is to mobilize a community for patient support and advocacy, drive and support impactful research that translates into advances for patients with migraine and other disabling diseases that cause severe head pain.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, scientists, assistants, and other affiliated professionals, dedicated to transforming lives.

Concussion Alliance

Concussion Alliance is a concussion education and advocacy nonprofit organization focused on creating resources to help everyone impacted by concussions learn how to manage recovery and inform healthcare providers on current best practices.

VeDA

Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) is a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers vestibular patients on their journey back to balance. Its goals include increasing awareness about vestibular disorders, advocating for improvements in scientific research, and expanding its community of patients, healthcare professionals, and support partners.

Balance & Dizziness Canada

Balance & Dizziness Canada's mission is to support, inspire, and educate those affected by balance and dizziness disorders, and they are a nonprofit organization.

Ménière’s Society

The Ménière’s Society's mission is to support people with vestibular disorders causing dizziness and imbalance, and they are a nonprofit organization.

Trusted sites