Influence of eye and head position on the vestibulo-ocular reflex

Experimental Brain Research
M FetterD S Zee

Abstract

For the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) to function properly, namely to ensure a stable retinal image under all circumstances, it should be able to take into account varying eye positions in the orbit and varying orientations of the head with respect to the axis about which it is rotating. We tested this capability by quantifying the gain and the time constant of the horizontal component of the VOR during rotation about an earth vertical axis when the line of sight (optical axis) was moved out of the plane of head rotation--either by rotating the eyes up or down in the orbit or by pitching the head up or down with respect to earth-horizontal. In either case the gain of the horizontal component of the VOR was attenuated precisely by the cosine of the angle made between the optical axis and the plane of head rotation. Furthermore, if the head was pitched up or down but the eye rotated oppositely in the orbit so as to keep the line of sight in the plane of head rotation the gain of the horizontal component of the VOR was the same value as with the head and eyes both straight ahead. In contrast, the time constant of the VOR varied only as a function of the orientation of the head and not as a function of eye position in the orbit. Du...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 1, 1986·Biological cybernetics·T C Hain
Aug 21, 2003·Auris, Nasus, Larynx·Masahiro MoritaTakeshi Kubo
Jan 16, 2004·Otology & Neurotology : Official Publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology·Michael C SchubertSusan J Herdman
Jun 4, 2004·Journal of Neurophysiology·Robert J PeterkaDaniel M Merfeld
Feb 6, 2018·Journal of Vestibular Research : Equilibrium & Orientation·Millard F ReschkeGilles Clément
Jun 27, 2017·Frontiers in Neurology·G M HalmagyiIan S Curthoys

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