Professor Americo Migliaccio
TEAM LEADER PROFILE
Professor, NeuRA
Adjunct Prof, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, USA
Conjoint Prof, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW
+612 9399 1030
Professor Americo Migliaccio heads a research group that investigates the neural mechanisms underlying the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). He is particularly focused on determining the neural mechanisms important for recovery after partial injury of the vestibular organ/s. He is also developing a new rehabilitation technique and device to modify VOR function.
Projects Professor Americo Migliaccio is currently involved with
CURRENT PROJECTS
Can high dose of vitamin C boost recovery after balance organ injury?
We will address loss of balance, a pressing health-related issue that affects quality of life in ~5% of the population. Once the balance organ is injured or degrades with age, no treatments restore function. We have identified a nerve-pathway crucial for balance system adjustment & self-repair. The sensitivity of this pathway can be increased with vitamin C. We will determine if vitamin C treatment can improve recovery after balance loss and potentially translate to the clinic.
READ MORE
Can high dose of vitamin C boost recovery after balance organ injury?
A new mouse model that determines the effects of a unilateral vestibular prosthesis on vestibular pl
Much like a cochlear implant restores auditory function, a vestibular prosthesis restores balance function. It is not clear whether the limited results from vestibular prostheses is due the device not stimulating one component (the otoliths) of the vestibular system essential for self-repair.READ MORE
A new mouse model that determines the effects of a unilateral vestibular prosthesis on vestibular plasticity.
The effect of enhanced vestibular efferent transmission on plasticity of the mammalian vestibulo-ocu
We have identified a nerve-pathway crucial for balance adjustment and self-repair. We will test a mouse type that has this pathway genetically made more sensitive to determine whether stimulation of this pathway is a viable approach to improving recovery after balance loss in humans.READ MORE
The effect of enhanced vestibular efferent transmission on plasticity of the mammalian vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR)
Investigation of factors that modify the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) response to optimise vestibular rehabilitation therapy
We have developed a rehabilitation technique shown to reliably improve self-repair of vestibular disorders.READ MORE
Investigation of factors that modify the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) response to optimise vestibular rehabilitation therapy
Treating dizziness in older people
Despite effective treatments being available, up to 40% of older people with reported dizziness remain undiagnosed and untreated. A multidisciplinary assessment battery, with new validated assessments of vestibular impairments is required for diagnosing and treating older people with dizziness. This project will therefore aim to conduct a randomised-control trial of a multifaceted dizziness intervention based on a multidisciplinary assessment, and develop a multiple profile assessment of dizziness for use in Specialist Clinics.READ MORE
Treating dizziness in older people
Development of a take-home rehabilitation device that improves vision and balance in patients with i
This project will develop a rehabilitation device based on a training technique we invented, which has been shown to significantly normalise the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) response in patients with vestibular organ lesions.READ MORE
Development of a take-home rehabilitation device that improves vision and balance in patients with injury to the balance organs
RESEARCH TEAM
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MICHAEL SCHUBERT Honorary Senior Research Fellow
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PHILLIP CREMER Honorary Senior Research Fellow
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ALAN BRICHTA Honorary Senior Research Fellow
DR REBECCA LIM Honorary Research Fellow
CHRISTOPHER TODD Research Assistant
WILLIAM FIGTREE Research Assistant
TANVIR AHMED PhD student
DAVID GRENET PhD student
PUBLICATIONS
Reducing the burden of dizziness in middle-aged and older people: A multifactorial, tailored, single-blind randomized controlled trial.
Menant JC, Migliaccio AA, Sturnieks DL, Hicks C, Lo J, Ratanapongleka M, Turner J, Delbaere K, Titov N, Meinrath D, McVeigh C, Close JCT, Lord SR
A multifactorial tailored approach for treating dizziness was effective in reducing dizziness handicap in community-living people aged 50 years and older. No difference was seen on the other primary outcomes. Our findings therefore support the implementation of individualized, multifaceted evidence-based therapies to reduce self-perceived disability associated with dizziness in middle-aged and older people.
Reducing the burden of dizziness in middle-aged and older people: A multifactorial, tailored, single-blind randomized controlled trial.
Menant JC, Migliaccio AA, Sturnieks DL, Hicks C, Lo J, Ratanapongleka M, Turner J, Delbaere K, Titov N, Meinrath D, McVeigh C, Close JCT, Lord SR
A multifactorial tailored approach for treating dizziness was effective in reducing dizziness handicap in community-living people aged 50 years and older. No difference was seen on the other primary outcomes. Our findings therefore support the implementation of individualized, multifaceted evidence-based therapies to reduce self-perceived disability associated with dizziness in middle-aged and older people.
Pilot study of a new rehabilitation tool: improved unilateral short-term adaptation of the human angular vestibulo-ocular reflex.
Migliaccio AA, Schubert MC
A visual stimulus driving the VOR gain to unity toward the nonadapting side aids unilateral adaptation more so than no visual stimulus.