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Plasticity of the human otolith-ocular reflex
C Wall1, T R Smith, J M Furman
1Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Prior visual-vestibular stimulation can alter eye movements from semicircular canal stimuli. This study shows similar plasticity occurs for otolith stimuli, suggesting shared neural pathways control these vestibulo-ocular reflexes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vestibular System Physiology
Background:
- The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes gaze during head movements.
- Plasticity of the VOR has been shown for semicircular canal stimuli but not otolith stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if prior visual-vestibular adaptation affects the otolith-ocular reflex (OOR).
- To determine if adaptation paradigms targeting the semicircular canal-ocular reflex (SCOR) influence the OOR.
Main Methods:
- Twenty subjects underwent adaptation using mismatched visual and vertical axis rotation stimuli to alter SCOR gain.
- OOR was tested using horizontal axis rotation in the dark before and after adaptation.
- Nystagmus modulation during horizontal rotation was analyzed to assess OOR response.
Main Results:
- Adaptation paradigms significantly altered the OOR response magnitude.
- The changes in OOR response mirrored those observed in SCOR responses after adaptation.
- This indicates plasticity in the OOR similar to that seen in the SCOR.
Conclusions:
- Physiologic adaptation of the VOR using mismatched visual and canal stimuli induces changes in both canal-ocular and otolith-ocular responses.
- Shared central nervous system pathways likely control the gains of both SCOR and OOR.