Development of the vestibulo-ocular reflex from infancy to adulthood

Abstract

The time constants and gains of the vestibulo-ocular reflex were computed from the primary nystagmus evoked by constant angular acceleration in 79 normal infants and children, ranging in age from 2 months to 11 years old, and 10 normal adults. There were significant changes in both time constant and gain in respect to development. The time constants increased while the gains decreased as a function of the logarithm of age. The time constants of the youngest infants were close to the cupular time constant. The lengthening of the time constant with increasing age was discussed in respect to maturation of inhibitory brainstem reticular formation mechanisms.