Non-linear interaction of the vestibular and the eye tracking system in man

Oculomotor control in man was investigated during passive, sinusoidal, whole-body rotation under a conflict between the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and the eye tracking system (ETS), as to the appropriate direction of compensatory eye movements. ETS predominated at stimulus frequencies below 0.8 Hz, and VOR above 1.5 Hz. In the intermediate frequency range the dominance repeatedly flipped between ETS and VOR, suggesting that the interaction of the two systems is not linear, but rather governed by a switch.