Summary
The effect of bilateral saccular ablation on the asymmetry of vertical optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN) was studied in squirrel monkeys. No significant changes occurred in the initial slow-phase eye velocity (SPEV) or the time constant of the upward or downward OKAN first phase (OKAN-I) under various stimulus conditions. However, with a protracted downward stimulus, the maximum SPEV and the number of beats of the slow-phase-up OKAN second phase (OKAN-II) significantly increased. This increase should be the result from enhancement of the downward optokinetic input. In contrast, there was only minimal change in the slow-phase-down OKAN-II. Thus, the asymmetrical dominance of the vertical OKAN (dominance upward) remained the same after saccular deafferentation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baloh RW, Richman L, Yee RD, Honrubia V (1983) The dynamics of vertical eye movements in normal human subjects. Aviat Space Environ Med 54:32–38
Brandt T, Dichgans J, Buechele W (1974) Motion habituation: inverted self-motion perception and optokinetic after-nystagmus. Exp Brain Res 21:337–352
Chubb MC, Fuchs AF (1982) Contribution of Y group of vestibular nuclei and dentate nucleus of cerebellum to generation of vertical smooth eye movement. J Neurophysiol 48:75–99
Clement G, Vieville T, Lestienne F, Berthoz A (1986) Modifications of gain asymmetry and beating field of vertical optokinetic nystagmus in microgravity. Neurosci Lett 63:271–274
Flurr E, Mellstrom A (1970) Saccular stimulation and oculomotor reactions. Laryngoscope 80:1713–1721
Himi T, Igarashi M, Kulecz WB, Kataura A (1988) Asymmetry of vertical optokinetic after-nystagmus in squirrel monkeys. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 105:312–317
Igarashi M, Takahashi M, Kubo T, Levy JK, Homick JL (1978) Effect of macular ablation on vertical optokinetic nystagmus in squirrel monkey. ORL 40:312–318
Igarashi M, Isago H, Alford BR (1983) Effect of prolonged optokinetic stimulation on oculomotor and locomotor balance functions. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 95:560–567
Igarashi M, Himi T, Kulecz WB, Patel S (1987) The role of saccular afferents in vertical optokinetic nystagmus in primates. A study in relation to optokinetic nystagmus in microgravity. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 224:143–146
Matsuo V, Cohen B (1984) Vertical optokinetic nystagmus and vestibular nystagmus in the monkey: up-down asymmetry and effects of gravity. Exp Brain Res 53:197–216
Matsuo V, Cohen B, Raphan T, Jong V de, Henn V (1979) Asymmetric velocity storage for upward and downward nystagmus. Brain Res 176:159–164
Takahashi M, Igarashi M (1977) Comparison of vertical and horizontal optokinetic nystagmus in the squirrel monkey. ORL 39:321–329
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Offprint request to: M. Igarashi
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Igarashi, M., Himil, T., MacDonald, S. et al. The effect of saccular ablation on vertical optokinetic after-nystagmus in squirrel monkeys. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 247, 274–276 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176535
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176535