Long-term Modifications of Vertical and Horizontal Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Dynamics in Man: I. After Acute Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Paralysis

Abstract

Horizontal (HOR) and vertical (VERT) vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) responses to whole-body triangular velocity profiles with constant accelerations of 10, 15 and 20 deg/s² were studied in two populations: normals, and patients with acute unilateral peripheral vestibular paralysis. The effect of this type of unilateral deficit on VOR gain and long time constant were determined as well as the time course of the compensation processes for HOR and VERTVOR dynamics. In the patient population, HOR VOR gain was asymmetric post deficit, being, on average, 50% and 75% of normal for rotations toward and away from the deficit, respectively. For the VERT VOR, on average, a symmetric 66% reduction occurred. The VERT VOR time constant was marginally affected by the deficit. HOR time constants were reduced for both directions of rotation. HOR and VERT VOR gain was within normal limits 1-3 months following an acute paralysis; time constants required a longer recovery period. Our results indicate that a unilateral deficit causes a markedly different alteration for HOR VOR dynamics compared to the effect on VERT VOR.

Key Words:

• vestibulo-ocular reflex
• unilateral peripheral vestibular deficit
• eye movements
• automatic nystagmus analysis