Effects of adenosine diphosphate administration on the vestibulo-oculomotor reflex of rabbits

Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) injection into a unilateral vertebral artery in rabbits decreased per-rotational nystagmus; the nystagmus beating toward the injected side was predominantly suppressed. This influence became obvious when the animal's blood pressure was low. Field potentials were recorded in the vestibular nuclei upon electric stimulation of the vestibular labyrinth. ADP administration into the vertebral artery also suppressed the amplitude of vestibular evoked potentials (VEPs). Effects of ADP upon the vestibulo-ocular reflex and VEP were considered to be due to regional ischemia induced by the microemboli, which consisted of platelet aggregation.