CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT06848712Updated Feb 27, 2025

Brain Structural Abnormalities in Patients with Vertigo

An observational study in Vertigo and MRI, sponsored by University of Pecs. Completed at 1 site in Hungary. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-02-27.

Sponsored by University of Pecs · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Case-control
Time perspective
Retrospective
Enrollment
464
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Introduction: Dizziness is one of the most common complaints in medical practice and is associated with various underlying conditions, including neurological, otolaryngological, and psychological disorders. Preliminary imaging studies like CT, cervical spine X-rays, and carotid/vertebral artery ultrasound, aids in precise diagnosis and targeted therapeutic decisions. MRI is one of the most effective imaging modalities currently available for examining the brain.

Purpose: To identify structural brain changes linked to vertigo, explore pre-MRI diagnostic approaches, and evaluate treatment strategies.

Methods: The study included 232 patients with vertigo and 232 control subjects. MRI results were categorized, and pre-MRI examinations, symptoms, and treatments were analyzed. Statistical comparisons were conducted using chi-square and t-tests, with significance set at p\<0.05.

Read the detailed description

Vertigo is a prevalent symptom with multiple underlying etiologies, including neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal causes. Despite its high prevalence, the exact structural brain abnormalities associated with vertigo remain unclear. This observational study aims to assess brain MRI findings in patients with vertigo and compare them to a control group without vertigo symptoms. The study also evaluates pre-MRI diagnostic procedures, such as vertebral/carotid ultrasound and cervical spine X-rays, to identify potential vascular and musculoskeletal contributors to vertigo. The results may provide insights into the structural brain changes linked to vertigo and help refine diagnostic and treatment strategies.

02

Conditions studied

  • Vertigo
  • MRI

Browse trials for

Keywords

  • vertigo
  • MRI
  • white matter lesions
  • Circle of Willis
  • sinusitis
  • BPPV
  • lifestyle modifications
  • betahistine
03

In context

Vertigo

248 studies on the registry are indexed under Vertigo; 39 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 464 is above the median of 151 across 50 observational studies indexed under Vertigo.

Browse Vertigo studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Pecs is the lead sponsor of 100 studies on the registry; 24 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

The study population consisted of adult patients (≥18 years) with vertigo who were referred for brain MRI to investigate potential structural abnormalities. A control group of individuals without a history of vertigo or neurological disorders was included for comparison. Exclusion criteria included prior neurological diseases, recent head trauma, and MRI contraindications.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥18 years
  • Reported dizziness (vertigo) as a primary symptom
  • Brain MRI requested by the attending physician

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Prior neurological disease or disorder (other than vertigo/dizziness in the vertigo group)
  • MRI contraindications (e.g., pacemaker, metal implants, claustrophobia)
05

Study design

Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Retrospective
Enrollment
464 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Vertigo Group

    Participants in this group reported dizziness as a primary symptom and were referred for brain MRI to investigate potential structural abnormalities. Exclusion criteria included any pre-existing neurological disorders. The most common diagnoses after MRI included benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vertebrobasilar syndrome.

    Other: Observational Study - No intervention

  • Control Group

    Participants in this group did not report dizziness or other neurological symptoms. They underwent brain MRI for other reasons but had no history of neurological disorders. This group served as a comparison to evaluate the prevalence of brain structural abnormalities in vertigo patients.

    Other: Observational Study - No intervention

Interventions

  • OtherObservational Study - No intervention

    This is an observational study evaluating brain structural abnormalities in post-COVID headache patients. No experimental intervention is applied.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Occurrences With Specific Structural Brain Abnormalities Observed on MRI

    Brain MRI findings were analyzed to compare the occurrences of structural abnormalities between vertigo patients and control participants. The most commonly assessed abnormalities included white matter lesions, lacunar infarcts, Circle of Willis variations, and sinusitis. The occurrences (number and percentage) of these findings in each group will be compared using chi-square tests.

    Time frame: From September 2020 to December 2022

Secondary outcomes

  1. Occurrences of associated symptoms in vertigo patients

    The study evaluated the occurrences of associated symptoms, including headache, imbalance, visual disturbances, and psychological symptoms (anxiety and depression). Each symptom's occurrences (number and percentage) will be reported separately.

    Time frame: From September 2020 to December 2022

  2. Occurrences of pre-MRI diagnostic procedures in vertigo patients

    The study assessed the occurrences of patients with vertigo undergoing pre-MRI diagnostic procedures, including carotid/vertebral ultrasound and cervical spine X-rays. Each procedure's occurrences (number and percentage) will be reported separately.

    Time frame: From September 2020 to December 2022

  3. Occurrences of post-MRI diagnoses in vertigo patients

    The study analyzed the most common diagnoses after MRI, including vestibular migraine, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and vascular dizziness. Each diagnosis's occurrences (number and percentage) will be reported separately.

    Time frame: From September 2020 to December 2022

  4. Occurrences of treatment strategies applied

    The study evaluated the most frequent treatment strategies, including physical therapy, pharmacological treatment (e.g., betahistine), and lifestyle modifications. Each treatment's occurrences (number and percentage) will be reported separately.

    Time frame: From September 2020 to December 2022

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Szent Margit Hospital
    Budapest, 1032, Hungary
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 27, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06848712
Lead sponsor
University of Pecs
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Feb 27, 2025
Start date
Sep 1, 2020
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2022
Completion
Dec 31, 2022
Last update
Feb 27, 2025

Study contacts

Klaudia Széphelyi
principal investigator · University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hungary

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion