Relation between perception of vertical axis rotation and vestibulo-ocular reflex symmetry

Peterka, Robert J.; Benolken, Martha S.

Subjects seated in a vertical axis rotation chair controlled their rotational velocity by adjusting a potentiometer. Their goal was to null out pseudorandom rotational perturbations in order to remain perceptually stationary. Most subjects showed a slow linear drift of velocity (a constant acceleration) to one side when they were deprived of an earth-fixed visual reference. The amplitude and direction of this drift can be considered a measure of a static bias in the subject's perception of rotation. The presence of a perceptual bias is consistent with a small, constant imbalance of vestibular function which could be of either central or peripheral origin. Deviations from perfect vestibulocular reflex (VOR) symmetry are also assumed to be related to imbalances in either peripheral or central vestibular function. Researchers looked for correlations between perceptual bias and various measures of vestibular reflex symmetry that might suggest a common source for both reflective and perceptual imbalances. No correlations were found. Measurement errors could not account for these results since repeated tests on the same subjects of both perceptual bias and VOR symmetry were well correlated.

Document ID

19910010397

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Legacy CDMS

Document Type

Contractor Report (CR)

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Date Acquired

September 6, 2013

Publication Date

March 20, 1991

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Report/Patent Number

Accession Number

91N19710

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Public

Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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