True or False: Central vertigo can be aggravated by lack of proprioception in the extremities.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. Sometimes true, sometimes false

Answer: (A)

At the core, vertigo that comes from the brain (central vertigo) reflects a disruption in how the brain processes and integrates signals from the vestibular system with other senses. Proprioception provides the brain with information about where the limbs are in space. When proprioceptive input is lacking or impaired, the brain has less reliable information about the body’s position, so it must rely more on vestibular and visual cues to maintain balance.

If central processing is already compromised, this added unreliability from proprioceptive loss can amplify dizziness and imbalance. In other words, central vertigo can be aggravated when proprioceptive input is diminished because the CNS struggles to reconcile conflicting sensory information, making the perception of spinning or swaying more pronounced.

In summary, central vertigo is compatible with and can be worsened by lack of proprioception in the extremities.