Persistent Dizziness

Dizziness is one of the most common complaints encountered in neurology, otolaryngology, and primary care, yet for a substantial subset of patients, symptoms persist long after the initial vestibular insult has resolved, or arise in the absence of any identifiable ongoing peripheral pathology. Conditions such as Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) and Mal de Debarquement share overlapping clinical features, including subjective unsteadiness, motion sensitivity, visually induced dizziness, and exacerbation by complex visual environments, despite arising from distinct triggers and proposed underlying mechanisms. These disorders disproportionately affect quality of life, occupational functioning, and mental health, and are frequently misdiagnosed, underrecognized, or dismissed as purely psychogenic due to the absence of consistent structural or laboratory findings. The underlying pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, though growing evidence points to maladaptive neural plasticity, disrupted multisensory (vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive) integration, altered postural control strategies, and psychological comorbidity as shared contributing factors across these conditions. Despite increasing clinical recognition, consensus on standardized diagnostic criteria, objective biomarkers, and effective, evidence-based treatment approaches remains limited, underscoring the need for coordinated research efforts.This Research Topic aims to improve understanding of the mechanisms underlying persistent dizziness syndromes and to consolidate emerging diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. A central problem we aim to tackle is the substantial clinical overlap between distinct persistent dizziness syndromes, which complicates accurate diagnosis, delays appropriate treatment, and hampers the design of targeted clinical trials. To address this, we encourage contributions that draw on recent advances in functional and structural neuroimaging, quantitative posturography, vestibular rehabilitation protocols, and non-invasive neuromodulation techniques to clarify shared and distinguishing mechanisms across conditions. Both clinical and preclinical studies are welcome, alongside theoretical and review articles that synthesize current pathophysiological models and propose testable hypotheses to guide future research and inform clinical practice.We welcome all article types accepted by the pertaining, but not limited to, the following themes:- Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PPPD, decompensated vestibular neuritis, and related functional vestibular syndromes- Differential diagnosis and overlapping symptomatology between persistent dizziness disorders- Neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers of chronic vestibular dysfunction- Role of maladaptive neuroplasticity and central sensory reweighting- Hormonal, psychological, and psychiatric comorbidities in persistent dizziness- Vestibular rehabilitation and behavioral therapy outcomes- Pharmacological and neuromodulation-based treatment approaches- Posturography and quantitative motion-perception assessment tools- Patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life impact- Novel technologies (virtual reality, wearable sensors) for diagnosis and rehabilitation Topic editors: Diego Kaski, Sun-Young Oh, Lucia Joffily Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84933/persistent-dizziness