ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Vestibulo-ocular reflex
;
Otolith organs
;
Gravity
;
Eye movements
;
Nystagmus
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Upward drift of the eyes in darkness, influenced by whole body orientation, was studied in 12 cats using electromagnetic search coil and electro-oculographic techniques. Animals were positioned stationary with respect to gravity with 0° tilt (“upright”) or rolled 90° (“on side”), pitched 90° (“on nose” or “on tail”), or inverted 180° (“upside down”). A downbeat quick-phase nystagmus (slow-phase upward in the cat's orbit) was measured, varying in magnitude with angle of tilt (0.21°/s at 0° tilt; 4.14°/s at 180° tilt). The drift was not present in the light. Upward eye velocities over a range of body orientations in darkness suggest a systematic drive to the eyes which increases with tilt away from upright. The relationship of this behavior to previous models of angular velocity estimation by an otolith-driven central mechanism is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00229564
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