Dynamic modulation of ocular orientation during visually guided saccades and smooth-pursuit eye movements.
Rotational disturbances of the head about an off-vertical yaw axis induce a complex vestibuloocular reflex pattern that reflects the brain's estimate of head angular velocity as well as its estimate of instantaneous head orientation (at a reduced scale) in space coordinates. We show that semicircular canal and otolith inputs modulate torsional and, to a certain extent, also vertical ocular orientation of visually guided saccades and smooth-pursuit eye movements in a similar manner as during off-vertical axis rotations in complete darkness. It is suggested that this graviceptive control of eye orientation facilitates rapid visual spatial orientation during motion.
Hess
Bernhard J M
BJ
Department of Neurology, Zürich University Hospital, Switzerland. bhess@neurol.unizh.ch
Angelaki
Dora E
DE
D000818:Animals; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D009949:Orientation; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D011698:Pursuit, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology*; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000502:physiology