Labyrinth Overview - Concepedia

Principles

Definition

Labyrinth is a research concept describing a complex spatial or conceptual structure characterized by intricate, often convoluted pathways, employed to investigate navigation strategies, search algorithms, problem-solving processes, and the structural properties of complex systems across various academic disciplines.

Ontological type

Symbolism and Meaning

Ritual and Practice

Historical Origins

Key developments

Key Figures

Mechanistic Vestibular Foundations era

Robert S. Kimura [1], affiliated with Harvard University [3] and Karolinska Institutet [4], was a central figure in mechanistic vestibular research during the Mechanistic Vestibular Foundations era. Kimura [1]'s key contributions include the 1967 LII Experimental Blockage of the Endolymphatic DUCT and SAC and ITS Effect on the Inner Ear of the Guinea Pig [6], the 1969 XLVIII Distribution, Structure, and Function of Dark Cells in the Vestibular Labyrinth [7], and the 1958 I Arterial Obstruction of the Labyrinth [8], which collectively advanced a physiological understanding of labyrinth function and its pathology, shaping diagnostic and surgical practices. W. Precht [2], associated with Harvard University [3] and University of California, Berkeley [5], contributed a foundational mechanistic perspective linking peripheral vestibular input to central processing during this era. Precht [2]'s single-authored 1966 paper Inhibition of central vestibular neurons from the contralateral labyrinth and its mediating pathway [9] illustrated a mechanistic link between peripheral input and central vestibular processing, informing models of bilateral vestibular interactions that defined the era.

Vestibular Plasticity and Compensation era

Doris K. Wu [1] contributed to vestibular plasticity research during the Vestibular Plasticity and Compensation era, with affiliations at Harvard University [3] and the University of Pennsylvania [4]. Her key contributions include the Development of the Mouse Inner Ear and Origin of Its Sensory Organs [7], the <i>Otx1</i> and <i>Otx2</i> activities are required for the normal development of the mouse inner ear [8], and Axial specification for sensory organs versus non-sensory structures of the chicken inner ear [9], which collectively clarified developmental substrates shaping vestibular circuitry plasticity. Paul F. Smith [2] connects these era-wide efforts with work at The University of Osaka [5] and The University of Sydney [6]. His 1988 Neuronal activity in the ipsilateral medial vestibular nucleus of the guinea pig following unilateral labyrinthectomy [10] and the 1988 Neuronal activity in the contralateral medial vestibular nucleus of the guinea pig following unilateral labyrinthectomy [11] helped map lesion-induced vestibular signaling and compensation, while the 2001 Quantitative changes in gene expression of glutamate receptor subunits/subtypes in the vestibular nucleus, inferior olive and flocculus before and following unilateral labyrinthectomy in the rat: real-time quantitative PCR method [12] identified molecular substrates of plasticity relevant to rebalancing.

Comparative Labyrinth Integration era

Neil Bhattacharyya [1] is a prominent figure guiding clinical practice in the Comparative Labyrinth Integration era (2007–2020) with affiliations at Harvard University [3] and Vanderbilt University [4]. His contribution centers on the Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo [7] and its Update [8], which standardize assessment and management of BPPV and thereby enable consistent clinical decisions across settings in this era of integrated vestibular science. Terry D. Fife [2] was active within Johns Hopkins University [5] and Northwestern University [6] during the same period. His sole contribution in this era comes from the 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo [7], whose standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment pathways advanced cross-disciplinary practice and supported the era's emphasis on structure–function integration in vestibular disorders.