Catherine Cho, MD

Early in my career, I studied gait and balance impairment in Parkinson’s disease. This research led to my interest in vestibular disorders, which can cause dizziness and imbalance. I worked with the late Mingjia Dai, PhD, who developed a new treatment for mal de débarquement syndrome, which causes a persistent sense of imbalance. Learning more about this debilitating condition and developing a consistently effective treatment for it remain major research interests of mine.

As a neurologist with expertise in vestibular disorders, I understand the science behind them and can help people feel better. I work with other neurologists and vestibular therapists in developing treatment plans for chronic vestibular conditions, including vestibular migraine, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, also known as PPPD, and conditions causing episodic vertigo.

I educate people about their condition—stressing that improvement takes time. When appropriate, I prescribe low doses of antidepressants. I also recommend holistic treatments, such as meditation, to enhance patients’ wellbeing.

To create comprehensive treatment plans, I collaborate with neurologists, vestibular physical therapists, vestibular psychologists, audiologists, and ear, nose, and throat specialists.

I refer most patients to physical therapists at NYU Langone’s Vestibular Rehabilitation Program at Rusk Rehabilitation. I may also refer patients to psychologists and psychiatrists, whose services are essential to our multidisciplinary approach.