Influence of Labyrinth Orientation Relative to Gravity on Responses Elicited by Stimulation of the Horizontal Semicircular Canals

摘要

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of different orientations of the horizontal semicircular canal cupulae relative to gravity on nystagmic output follow ing deceleration from rotation about the earth-horizontal axis. Differences in nystagmus output with different stopping positions were not entirely consistent with predictions based on the assumption that cupula deflection was influenced by gravity. A more plausible explanation, modulation of canal-initiated responses by otolith activity, was presented. A high incidence of motion sickness was encountered while rotating subjects about the erth-horizontal axis and it was apparently controlled by the mental task assigned to the subject. (Author)