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Updated: May 27, 2026
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Assessment of Static Graviceptive Perception in the Roll-Plane using the Subjective Visual Vertical Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2020
Patients with migraine correctly estimate the visual verticality
Luc Crevits1, Leen Vanacker, Anouk Verraes
1Department of Neurology, Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. luc.crevits@ugent.be
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|November 18, 2011
Summary
Migraine patients on medication accurately perceive visual verticality during headache-free periods. Subjective visual vertical (SVV) testing shows no significant difference compared to controls, even with motion sickness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Migraine is a complex neurological disorder.
- Otolith function is crucial for spatial orientation.
- Subjective visual vertical (SVV) assesses otolith-mediated perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate otolith function in migraine patients.
- To measure static subjective visual vertical (SVV) in migraineurs.
- To compare SVV in migraine patients and controls, with and without kinetosis.
Main Methods:
- Forty-seven migraine patients and 96 controls participated.
- Kinetosis was identified via questionnaire.
- SVV was measured using an infrared line adjustment in a dark room with head stabilization.
Main Results:
- Migraine patients showed no significant SVV deviation compared to controls.
- Aura presence did not impact SVV results.
- Dizziness, non-specific vertigo, or kinetosis did not significantly influence SVV.
Conclusions:
- Migraine patients on prophylactic medication maintain normal visual verticality perception when headache-free.
- Abnormal SVV in a headache-free migraine patient is unlikely due to migraine itself.
- Otolith function appears preserved in migraine patients during interictal periods.
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