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Interaction between the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex and optokinetic response in rabbits

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Summary

Dynamic characteristics of the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (HVOR), the optokinetic response (OKR), and their interactions were investigated in alert albino rabbits. For stimulation of the horizontal semicircular canals, the whole rabbit was rotated sinusoidally on a motor-driven turntable at peak-to-peak amplitudes of 5 ° to 30 ° over a frequency range of 1/30 to 1/2 Hz. Optokinetic stimulation was provided by a narrow vertical slit light source presented in front of the eye to be tested. The evoked horizontal eye movements were observed and measured by means of a closed circuit television system adapted to provide an analog signal proportional to the eye movement. The net HVOR was obtained by rotation of the turntable in darkness and the net OKR by rotation of the light source. Combining rotation of the turntable with a stationary light source immediately increased the gain and reduced the phase shift of the HVOR. The light source moving in phase with the turntable, but at twice the angular amplitude, reduced the gain and advanced the phase of the HVOR. Eye movement curves of the HVOR modified by a fixed or moving slit light could be reconstructed approximately by a linear combination of the net HVOR and OKR.

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The work was supported by a grant from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (987008)

On leave from C.N.R.S., France (from Nov. 1974 to Feb. 1975) and supported by a Franco-Japanese Cultural Relations Program Fellowship

On leave from C.N.R.S., France (from Nov. 1974 to Feb. 1975) and supported by a visiting professorship from Japan. Society for the Promotion of Science

On leave from Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw (from Jan. 1977 to Jan. 1978) and supported by a Polish-Japanese Cultural Relations Program Fellowship

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Batini, C., Ito, M., Kado, R.T. et al. Interaction between the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex and optokinetic response in rabbits. Exp Brain Res 37, 1–15 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01474249

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01474249

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