Modification of vertical OKN and vertical OKAN asymmetry in humans during parabolic flight

Characteristics of human vertical optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) and afternystagmus (OKAN) were examined by ISCAN imaging system on the ground and on board NASA's KC-135 aircraft in a parabolic flight study. The aircraft produced alternating periods of micro-(ca. 10(-2) G) and hyper-(ca. 1.8 G) gravitoinertial forces. Each phase lasted approximately 20 to 25 s. As compared to the baseline data on the ground, there was a significant increase of downward OKN/OKAN, whereas the upward OKN/OKAN did not change significantly in either micro- or hyper-G. As a consequence, the asymmetry of vertical OKN/OKAN, normally seen on the ground, was lost. It is postulated that the increase of downward OKN/OKAN in non-1-G conditions was governed by two different mechanisms. In micro-G, the normal inhibition effect in 1 G on the downward eye movement mediated by otolith organ activity to vertical velocity storage was removed. In hyper-G, downward OKN/OKAN was facilitated by augmented otolith-ocular reflex because of increased gravitoinertial force, so as to produce enhanced compensatory downward eye movement.