Ultricle and saccule (collectively “otoliths”) found to affect brain blood flow

BBC News – Minute organs in the ear can alter brain blood flow – “Minute organs hidden deep within the ear appear to directly alter blood flow to the brain, scientists have revealed. Until now, experts thought the inner ear’s job was to control balance alone. [...] Dr Jorge Serrador and his team from Harvard Medical School asked 24 healthy people to undergo a range of tests normally used on astronauts. These included a tilt test where the individual sits strapped to a chair that is then tilted to different angles, plus a ride inside a giant, spinning centrifuge. [...] This revealed that the utricle and saccule, also known as the otoliths, directly affected brain blood flow regulation, independent of other factors, such as blood pressure.”

Tagged as: blood pressure, cancer, ear, innerear