Abstract
It is well known that fixation of an imaginary target (IT) can influence the vestibulo-ocular reflex, but reports on the effect of peripheral vestibular stimulation on the localization of an IT are still lacking. In a prospective study, errors in pointing towards an IT without and after cold caloric vestibular stimulation (VS) were investigated in 24 right-handed volunteers with the head tilted backwards by 60°. After the stationary target had been extinguished for 120 s each subject had to point towards the target position as remembered in darkness. The vestibular response was recorded by electronystagmography. Without VS 73% of the volunteers showed a systematic horizontal pointing error towards the right side. VS led to an increased horizontal pointing error in the direction of the slow phase of the induced nystagmus and the degree of deviation showed a significant (P = 0.001) positive correlation (r = 0.32) with the amplitude of the calorically induced nystagmus. In summary, an IT is not merely a useful visual stimulus for influencing the vestibulo-ocular reflex during linear and angular acceleration. A peripheral vestibular stimulation is itself able to change the position of an IT significantly and the extent of deviation shows a significant correlation with the amplitude of the evoked nystagmus.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 30 November 1999 / Accepted: 14 June 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmäl, F., Kunz, R. & Stoll, W. The localization of an imaginary target under the influence of caloric vestibular stimulation in healthy adults. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 257, 473–479 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004050000269
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004050000269