Abstract
This study investigated connections between vestibular and thalamic nuclei in the human brain using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We examined nine vestibulothalamic tracts (VTTs) by selecting three seed regions of interest (ROIs) in the vestibular nuclei (superior, medial, and lateral) and three target ROIs in the thalamic nuclei (ventral posterolateral, ventral posteromedial, and ventral intermediate). DTI tractography was performed on twelve healthy subjects. Results showed all three vestibular nuclei had connectivity with the thalamus, with varying reconstruction rates. The lateral vestibular nucleus demonstrated highest connectivity with ventral posterolateral and posteromedial nuclei, while the medial vestibular nucleus had highest connectivity with the ventral intermediate nucleus. All VTTs passed through the midbrain tegmentum, with some traversing the tectum. This study provides new insights into neural pathways involved in vestibular information processing and may serve as a foundation for understanding the central vestibular system's neurophysiology. These findings could have implications for diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders and related balance issues.