How Well Do You Know Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)?

Study Notes

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) are electromyographic responses generated by vestibular labyrinth stimulation through sound, vibration or electrical stimuli.
VEMP is a clinical test for otolith organs and related reflex pathways.
Otolith organs in humans are called utricle and saccule.
There are two types of VEMP tests: cVEMP and oVEMP.
cVEMP records the otolith-ocular reflex through the sternocleidomastoid muscle while oVEMP records it through the inferior oblique muscle.
cVEMP provides information about saccular function while oVEMP provides information about utricular function.
VEMP waves are biphasic (positive-negative) waves.
cVEMP is a mid-latency potential evaluating the vestibulo-collic reflex while oVEMP is an early-latency potential evaluating the utriculo-ocular reflex.
The vestibulo-collic reflex pathway involves receptors (macula and saccule), afferent pathways, central connections, efferent pathways, XI cranial nerve motor nucleus, and affected muscles.
The utriculo-ocular reflex pathway involves receptors (macula and utricle), afferent pathways, central connections, efferent pathways, III cranial nerve motor nucleus, and inferior oblique muscle.