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Roll aftereffects: influence of tilt and inter-stimulus interval
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 629, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Benjamin_Crane@urmc.rochester.edu
Experimental Brain Research
|September 5, 2012
Summary
Pilots may experience a false sense of roll after a maneuver. This study quantifies the roll aftereffect (RAE) and finds that tilt prolongs this sensory illusion, impacting spatial orientation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Perception
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Sensory adaptation causes perception shifts opposite to a stimulus.
- Aftereffects are known in vision and recently in vestibular translation.
- Aviation studies note a roll aftereffect (RAE) in pilots, but its characteristics are undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the magnitude and duration of the roll aftereffect (RAE).
- To investigate the influence of gravity and body position on the RAE.
- To understand how preceding roll stimuli affect subsequent motion perception.
Main Methods:
- Eight healthy subjects underwent whole-body roll stimuli on an earth-horizontal axis.
- Adapting stimuli (9° roll over 1.5s) were delivered at varying intervals (0.5, 3, 6s) before test stimuli.
- Subjects identified the perceived motion to determine the RAE magnitude.
Main Results:
- A significant RAE was observed in all subjects.
- A test stimulus of 1.5°/s in the opposite direction was needed for perceived stationarity 0.5s post-adaptation.
- The RAE diminished over time when upright but persisted longer when tilted.
Conclusions:
- Small preceding roll stimuli significantly influence roll perception.
- Body tilt after a roll stimulus prolongs the roll aftereffect (RAE).
- Findings have implications for understanding spatial orientation and aviation safety.
