Dynamic otolith stimulation improves the low frequency horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex

Summary The horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex was measured electrooculographically in four cats during sinusoidal rotations in the dark at frequencies from 0.01 Hz to 1.0 Hz in five body orientations. Vertical axis rotations in the prone and supine positions were used to stimulate horizontal canals only. Horizontal axis rotations, with the cat on the left or right side or nose down (pitched 90° from prone) were used to stimulate horizontal canal plus otolith organs. At frequencies below 0.05 Hz the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex produced by horizontal canal plus otolith stimulation showed a more accurately compensatory response than the horizontal vestibuloocular reflex produced by horizontal canal stimulation alone. Canal plus otolith horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and phase remained relatively constant across all frequencies, while the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and phase from orientations involving canal stimulation alone changed dramatically as rotation frequency decreased. In addition, the reflex in the supine position showed gain decreases and phase advances at higher frequencies than in the prone position.