Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Using Eye-tracking to Assess the Relative Importance of Visual and Vestibular Input to Subcortical Motion Processing in the Roll Plane
Published on: August 22, 2025
EEG correlates of subcortical optokinetic nystagmus
Szilvia Gulyás1, László Pálvölgyi, Anita Kamondi
1Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Balassa u. 6., 1083 Budapest, Hungary.
Objective:
Our aim was to reveal the changes of concomitant scalp EEG activity during subcortical (stare-) optokinetic nystagmus (OKN).
Methods:
Stare-OKN of 10 subjects was evoked and recorded simultaneously with the EEG. Frequency distribution of OKN-beats was determined in each subject. Power changes of alpha and beta frequency bands of the EEG during OKN stimulation were statistically analysed.
Results:
During continuous subcortical OKN-the EEG alpha power decreased significantly while beta power increase was not significant. A significant transient alpha power enhancement around the onset of subcortical OKN-clusters was detected.
Conclusions:
We found significant changes in the parieto-occipital alpha EEG activity during subcortical OKN. The transient alpha synchronisation at the beginning of each OKN-cluster is a paradox phenomenon which might indicate increased visual attention.
Significance:
The present study is the first report investigating EEG changes related to subcortical OKN. Our findings suggest the involvement of cortical mechanisms in the generation of stare-OKN. The results might help in the elucidation of cortico-genicular mechanisms of ocular movements under physiological and pathological conditions.
