title: Influence of gravity on the spatial orientation of eye nystagmus induced by unilateral lesion of horizontal semicircular canal.
abstract: The influence of gravity in the orientation and slow phase eye velocity of the ocular nystagmus following unilateral damage of the cupula in the ampulla of the horizontal semicircular canal (UHCD) was investigated. The nystagmus was analysed at different sagittal head positions using the x-y infrared eye monitor technique. The nystagmus was almost horizontal at 0 degrees head pitch angle and remained partially fixed in space when the head was pitched upward or downward. The reorientation gain of the slow and quick phases was high (about 0.75) within +/- 45 degrees of head pitch angle, but beyond this range, it decreased greatly. The gain value depended on the lesion extension to otolithic receptors. The absolute value of the slow phase eye velocity of UHCD nystagmus was also modified systematically by the head pitch, showing a reduction in the upward and an increase in the downward.
authors.affiliation: Institut of Human Physiology of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Pettorossi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ermanno
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pierangelo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silvarosa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D006112:Gravitation; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology; D017120:Nystagmus, Optokinetic / Q000502:physiology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000502:physiology*