Gain of the adaptation mechanism in the human vestibulo-ocular reflex system.
The response of the vestibulo-ocular reflex to constant angular acceleration was investigated in healthy subjects using various stimulus amplitudes and stimulus durations. For stimulus amplitudes of 1.06 and 2.13 degrees/s2 the peracceleratory response maximum at 43 s was always followed by a decline in response. This decay was less pronounced for the longer stimulus duration suggesting a nonreturn to the zero baseline. From a comparison with the theoretical model it can be deduced that the gain of the adaptation mechanism is less than unity.
Boumans
L J
LJ
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Rodenburg
M
M
Maas
A J
AJ
D000054:Acceleration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*