Nystagmus Responses during Rotation about a Tilted Axis,
Abstract
A persistent horizontal nystagmus response is elicited when a man is rotated at constant velocity about an Earth-horizontal axis. This response comprises two components: a directional bias and a cyclic modulation of the bias level. Observations were made of the effects of three stimulus variables: rate of initial acceleration, rate of steady rotation, and angle of tilt of the rotation axis. Bias and cyclic modulation were affected differently by stimulus variables, especially by rate of steady rotation, suggesting the presence of two separate response mechanisms. Previous experiments indicate that both mechanisms depend upon the otolith system, although the possibility of a semicircular canal contribution remains. Thus it is reasonable to conclude that these response components provide a means of assessing the dynamics of otolith-regulated responses. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 09, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0726172
Entities
People
- Charles W. Stockwell
- Fred E. Guedry Jr.
- Gene T. Turnipseed
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory