Visuo-Ocular Performance During Vestibular Stimulation.
Abstract
During the reporting period, significant information has been obtained regarding the interaction between otolithic stimulation, semicircular canal stimulation, and visual stimulation. Results, published in a peer-reviewed journal have indicated that whereas human subjects can suppress semicircular canal-induced eye-movements by focusing on a head-fixed visual target, subjects have great difficulty suppressing eye movements induced by otolithic stimulation, specifically, eye movements induced by rotation about an off-vertical axis. This difference in visual-vestibular interaction between the semicircular canal-ocular reflexes and the otolith-ocular reflexes suggests that rotational acceleration-induced eye movements and linear accelaration-induced eye movements are generated by different central nervous system pathways. These studies form the basis for future research regarding multi-sensory integration, vestibular-induced eye movements and spatial orientation. Preliminary studies, not yet published, have assessed the ability of normal human subjects to generate volitional eye movements (saccades and pursuit) during vestibular stimulation. The work performed during the reporting period served as the basis for an application to the National institutes of Health regarding spatial reorientation. That proposal, Grant No. DCO1791, when funded, will enable a continuation of the studies begun during the reporting period with funds from AFOSR. Specifically, that project will allow a study of volitional eye movements during vestibular stimulation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA312823
Entities
People
- James A. Carl
- Joseph M. Furman
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh