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The vestibulo-ocular reflex: an outdated concept?

H Collewijn

    Progress in Brain Research
    |January 1, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    The traditional view of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is challenged. New findings suggest VOR is not a distinct system but part of a larger spatial localization process, especially in darkness.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Oculomotor Systems
    • Vestibular Function

    Background:

    • The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is traditionally considered a distinct, ancient oculomotor subsystem for gaze stabilization.
    • It is thought to function as a stereotyped reflex with fixed input-output relations, adaptable to maintain ideal gain.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To challenge the traditional view of the VOR as an independent subsystem.
    • To propose an alternative hypothesis where vestibular signals are inputs to a broader spatial localization and gaze control system.

    Main Methods:

    • Re-evaluation of existing literature on VOR function and adaptation.
    • Critique of traditional experimental paradigms for measuring VOR in darkness.
    • Theoretical integration of vestibular, visual, and other sensory inputs.

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    Main Results:

    • The VOR in darkness lacks a well-defined or ideal gain.
    • A fixed, automatic VOR is behaviorally inappropriate and requires conditioning from other systems.
    • No compelling evidence supports the VOR as a separate phylogenetic subsystem.

    Conclusions:

    • The VOR is likely not an independent subsystem but a component of a larger, multi-input gaze control system.
    • Vestibular signals contribute to spatial localization, computing subject-target relationships.
    • VOR in darkness may be a default operation of this system; adaptation phenomena could be epiphenomena of vision-guided gaze control.