Nystagmus responses in normal subjects during eccentric sinusoidal rotation

Abstract

Earth vertical axis rotation provides a method of stimulating the horizontal semicircular canals. By placing subjects off from the axis of rotation, the otolith organs may also be stimulated by additional linear acceleration forces. In the present study, we compared the rotation with subjects placed on axis to those placed in an eccentric position, either facing outward or turned 90 degrees facing the direction of the rotation. When the subject was facing outward, sinusoidal eccentric rotation at 0.64 Hz produced a significantly higher vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain than did on-axis rotation. No increase in VOR gain was observed during eccentric rotation with the subject facing the direction of the rotation. These findings suggest that the gain enhancement due to eccentric rotation is a result of tangential linear acceleration, probably sensed by the utriculus. This study raises the possibility of using eccentric rotation for the diagnosis of the patients with otolith dysfunction.