Accession Number:

ADA090978

Title:

The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Man during Voluntary Head Oscillation under Three Visual Conditions.

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept.,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL AEROSPACE MEDICAL RESEARCH LAB PENSACOLA FL

Personal Author(s):

• Jell, Ralph M.
• Guedry, Fred E., Jr.
• Hixson, W. C.

Report Date:

1980-07-15

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

The vestibulo-ocular reflex VOR generated by voluntary head movements keyed to a tone varying sinusoidally in pitch was studied in 13 men. Modulation of pitch at frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 Hz yielded systematic variation in head movement frequencies, although at higher frequencies head frequencies fell below requested frequencies. Three conditions of visual stimulation were used. When an Earth-fixed visual target was visible, VOR gain maximum eye velocity divided by maximum head velocity in each half cycle was slightly but significantly greater than VOR gain in darkness at all frequencies except 0.1 Hz. With a head-fixed target, VOR gain was substantially less than VOR gain in darkness at all requested frequencies below 2.0 Hz. The finding that visual suppression becomes ineffective at frequencies above 1.0 Hz parallels results obtained in other laboratories during passive whole-body oscillation. Results indicate that the procedures appear feasible for further evaluation as part of a clinical test battery. Author

Descriptors:

• *VISION
• *VESTIBULAR APPARATUS
• *REFLEXES
• FREQUENCY
• STIMULATION(PHYSIOLOGY)
• PITCH(MOTION)
• HUMANS
• INTERACTIONS
• MOTION
• TRACKING
• OSCILLATION
• HEAD(ANATOMY)
• OPTICAL TRACKING
• EYE MOVEMENTS

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Stress Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE