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Visual and vestibular determinants of the translational vestibulo‐ocular reflex
Author(s) -
Liao Ke,
Schneider Rosalyn M.,
Yaniglos Stacia S.,
Bertolini Giovanni,
Glendinning Paul,
Sawyer, Jr Robert N.,
Reschke Millard,
Leigh R. John
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06148.x
Subject(s) - eye movement , vestibular system , fixation (population genetics) , vestibulo–ocular reflex , audiology , reflex , psychology , ophthalmology , medicine , neuroscience , population , environmental health
Prior studies indicate that the human translational vestibulo‐ocular reflex (tVOR) generates eye rotations approximately half the magnitude required to keep the line of sight pointed at a stationary object—a compensation ratio (CR) of ∼0.5. We asked whether changes of visual or vestibular stimuli could increase the CR of tVOR. First, subjects viewed their environment through an optical device that required eye movements to increase by ∼50% to maintain fixation of a stationary visual target. During vertical translation, eye movements did increase, but tVOR CR remained at ∼0.5. Second, subjects viewed through LCD goggles providing 4 Hz strobe vision that minimized retinal image motion; this reduced tVOR CR. Finally, subjects were rotated in roll while they translated vertically; no increase in tVOR occurred. Taken with prior studies, we conclude that tVOR is optimally set to generate eye rotations that are about 50% of those required to stabilize the line of sight.