Contribution of eye position to movement perception.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of gaze eccentricity on movement perception during asymmetric vestibular stimulation.


METHODS
Subjects (n = 10) were placed on a rotating platform and oscillated asymmetrically in the dark. Subjects were asked to reproduce with a pointer the location in space of a light spot that was turned off at the beginning of the oscillation. The target was presented in centric and eccentric (0 degrees, 20 degrees and 40 degrees) positions.


RESULTS
In the centric position a large shift from the real position of the target was observed in the opposite direction to that of the faster vestibular stimulation. The shift increased when the target was placed eccentrically toward the slower vestibular stimulation side and decreased when it was placed in the opposite direction.


CONCLUSIONS
The dependence of rotation perception on the target position suggests that the eye deviation, imposed by the eccentricity of the target, is able to influence the perception of body movement and may modulate the internal reference frame.
Pettorossi
V E
VE
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. isfisuma@unipg.it
Panichi
R
R
Bambagioni
D
D
Grassi
S
S
Botti
F M
FM
D000328:Adult; D004585:Electrooculography; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007699:Kinesthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests