From the Guidelines
The vestibular system, which includes the inner ear and vestibular pathways in the brain, is responsible for balance, coordination, and maintenance of posture. The brain plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, and the vestibular system is a key component of this process. According to the clinical practice guideline on Ménière's disease 1, the vestibular system includes the inner ear and vestibular pathways in the brain dedicated to balance, coordination, and maintenance of posture.
The cerebellum, located at the back of the brain beneath the cerebrum, also coordinates voluntary movements, posture, and balance by receiving sensory information from the inner ear (vestibular system), eyes, muscles, and joints. It processes these inputs and sends signals to motor neurons that adjust muscle activity to maintain equilibrium.
Some key points to consider when evaluating balance and the vestibular system include:
- The vestibular system detects head position and movement through fluid-filled semicircular canals and otolith organs.
- Damage to the vestibular system through injury, disease, or aging can cause dizziness, vertigo, or difficulty maintaining balance.
- Other brain regions, such as the brainstem and areas of the cerebral cortex, also contribute to balance by integrating sensory information.
- The diagnosis of balance-related disorders, such as Ménière's disease, often involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, including audiograms, video- or electronystagmograms, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Meclizine hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system in adults. The vestibular system is responsible for balance, and it is located in the inner ear, but the part of the brain that processes this information is not directly stated in the label.
- The label does mention the vestibular system, which is related to balance.
- However, it does not specify which part of the brain is responsible for balance. 2 2
From the Research
Brain Structure Responsible for Balance
The part of the brain responsible for balance is closely related to the vestibular system.
- The vestibular system is composed of the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear and the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem, which work together to maintain balance and spatial orientation [ 3 ].
- The vestibular nuclei receive input from the vestibular apparatus and send output to other parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum, which also plays a role in balance and coordination.
- Damage to the vestibular system or the brainstem can lead to balance disorders, highlighting the importance of these structures in maintaining equilibrium.
- Vestibular rehabilitation is often used to treat balance disorders, and its efficacy is supported by research on the neural mechanisms underlying balance and vestibular function [ 3 ].