[Effect of etimizol on the nystagmic reactions in optokinetic stimulation and aftereffect]

In chronic experiments on rabbits, changes of frequency and amplitude of the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) were studied during continuous 60-min optokinetic (OK) stimulation and in secondary trace reverse phase of the OKN called the reverse postoptokinetic nystagmus (RPN) for 30 min after cessation of the OK-stimulation prior to and after administration of 5 mg/kg aethimizol. The drug was administered 20 min prior to the OK-stimulation and on the 35th min of the stimulation. Aethimizol was found to increase considerably the OKN frequency, amplitude and the RPN. The RPN frequency was considerably decreased after aethimizol administration. Aethimizol seems to improve the process of nystagmus formation during the OK-stimulation and to weaken the process of formation of the asymmetry of nervous centers excitation during a prolonged OK-stimulation.