Impaired Discharge of the Eye Velocity Storage Mechanism in Patients with Lesions of the Vestibulo-Cerebellum

2015 ◽  
pp. 44-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Heide ◽  
V. Schrader ◽  
E. Koenig ◽  
J. Dichgans
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Storage ◽  
Storage Mechanism ◽  
Velocity Storage Mechanism ◽  
Eye Velocity

Characteristics of Nystagmus Evoked by Electrical Stimulation of The Uvular/Nodular Lobules of the Cerebellum in Monkey

1992 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-245
Author(s):  
S.J. Heinen ◽  
D.K. Oh ◽  
E.L. Keller
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Velocity Storage ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Slow Phase ◽  
Stimulus Pulse ◽  
Storage Mechanism ◽  
Velocity Storage Mechanism ◽  
Stimulus Offset ◽  
Eye Velocity ◽  
Stimulation Of

Electrical stimulation in the monkey vestibulocerebellum has previously been shown to produce ocular nystagmus, but large stimulating current values were used. Using long duration (⩽10-second) stimulus pulse trains and low current values (<50 μA), we studied the nystagmus evoked by microstimulation in the uvular/nodular regions of the cerebellum. In doing this, we found quantitative differences in the nystagmus evoked from these two regions. Stimulation of the nodulus typically produced a vigorous nystagmus with a contralateral slow phase and a prolonged afternystagmus in the same direction. In contrast, stimulation of the uvula typically produced a regular ipsilateral nystagmus pattern with a very short, if any, afternystagmus in the same direction. In addition, at some stimulation sites in the uvula we observed an adaptation in the slow phase eye velocity during the time that the stimulation remained on. This effect could result in a secondary nystagmus, with a slow phase velocity direction opposite to that first evoked by the stimulation, followed by a prolonged afternystagmus in the direction of the secondary nystagmus at stimulus offset. The nystagmus evoked by these cerebellar stimulations differs from both natural nystagmus produced by large field visual motion and from the nystagmus produced by electrical stimulation of the nucleus of the optic tract. The nystagmus produced by uvular and nodular stimulation shows a shorter latency and a more rapid slow phase eye velocity buildup. The uvula stimulations also showed a much shorter afternystagmus. Also, the same nystagmus was evoked whether the animal was in a lighted or dark surround. These characteristics and recent single-unit recording studies in the uvula seem to suggest that the uvula acts not as a direct input to the velocity storage mechanism, but instead perhaps as part of an internal regulator for balance between the bilateral vestibular nuclei which are normally part of the nystagmus response. On the other hand, the nodulus, with its prolonged afternystagmus in the same direction as the evoked nystagmus, may be involved as a part of the velocity storage mechanism.

Spatial orientation of postrotatory nystagmus during static roll tilt in cats

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
Keiko Yasuda ◽  
Hiroaki Fushiki ◽  
Rinnosuke Wada ◽  
Yukio Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Orientation ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Longitudinal Axis ◽  
Velocity Storage ◽  
Slow Phase ◽  
Storage Mechanism ◽  
Spatial Disorientation ◽  
Acceleration And Deceleration ◽  
Eye Velocity ◽  
Roll Tilt

While the stimulation of otolith inputs reduces the duration of postrotatory nystagmus (PRN), there is still room for dialogue about the effect of static tilt on the orientation of PRN. We studied one possible influence of static roll tilt on the spatial orientation of PRN in cats. The animal was rotated about an earth-vertical axis (EVA) at a constant velocity of 100 deg/s with an acceleration and deceleration of 120 deg / s 2 . Within two seconds after stopping EVA rotation, the animal was passively tilted at 45 deg/s about its longitudinal axis by as much as ± 90 deg in steps of 15 deg. Eye movements were measured with magnetic search coils. The angle of the PRN plane and its slow phase eye velocity were measured. The time constant of PRN decreased with an increase in roll tilt. The PRN plane remained earth horizontal within a range of ± 30 deg roll tilt. Beyond this range, the velocity of PRN decreased too rapidly to measure any change in orientation. Our results indicate a spatially limited and temporally short interaction of the semicircular canal and otolith signals in the velocity storage mechanism of cat PRN. Our data, along with previous studies, suggest that different species show different solutions to the problem of the imbalance and spatial disorientation during contradictory stimuli.

Role of irregular otolith afferents in the steady-state nystagmus during off-vertical axis rotation

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1895-1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Angelaki ◽  
A. A. Perachio ◽  
M. J. Mustari ◽  
C. L. Strunk
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Velocity Storage ◽  
Slow Phase ◽  
Otolith Organs ◽  
Galvanic Stimulation ◽  
Storage Mechanism ◽  
Velocity Storage Mechanism ◽  
Ocular Nystagmus

1. During constant velocity off-vertical axis rotations (OVAR) in the dark a compensatory ocular nystagmus is present throughout rotation despite the lack of a maintained signal from the semicircular canals. Lesion experiments and canal plugging have attributed the steady-state ocular nystagmus during OVAR to inputs from the otolith organs and have demonstrated that it depends on an intact velocity storage mechanism. 2. To test whether irregularly discharging otolith afferents play a crucial role in the generation of the steady-state eye nystagmus during OVAR, we have used anodal (inhibitory) currents bilaterally to selectively and reversibly block irregular vestibular afferent discharge. During delivery of DC anodal currents (100 microA) bilaterally to both ears, the slow phase eye velocity of the steady-state nystagmus during OVAR was reduced or completely abolished. The disruption of the steady-state nystagmus was transient and lasted only during the period of galvanic stimulation. 3. To distinguish a possible effect of ablation of the background discharge rates of irregular vestibular afferents on the velocity storage mechanism from specific contributions of the dynamic responses from irregular otolith afferents to the circuit responsible for the generation of the steady-state nystagmus, bilateral DC anodal galvanic stimulation was applied during optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) and optokinetic afternystagmus (OKAN). No change in OKN and OKAN was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multisensory Integration in the Human Vestibular Velocity Storage Mechanism?

1991 ◽  
Vol 111 (sup481) ◽  
pp. 311-314
Author(s):  
Ralph Jell ◽  
Sylviane Lafortune ◽  
Gang Wei ◽  
Desmond Ireland
Keyword(s):  
Multisensory Integration ◽  
Velocity Storage ◽  
Storage Mechanism ◽  
Velocity Storage Mechanism

Posterior semicircular canal paroxysmal positional vertigo triggers a new type of windmill nystagmus

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-89
Author(s):  
F Comacchio ◽  
N Cutrì ◽  
M Mion
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Velocity Storage ◽  
Storage Mechanism ◽  
Velocity Storage Mechanism ◽  
Positional Vertigo ◽  
New Type ◽  
Horizontal Nystagmus ◽  
Vertical Nystagmus ◽  
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

AbstractBackgroundPeriodic alternating nystagmus is a rare condition characterised by spontaneous horizontal nystagmus that periodically reverses direction, indicating an alteration of the velocity storage mechanism. Windmill nystagmus is a peculiar and rare variant of periodic alternating horizontal nystagmus with a superimposed periodic alternating vertical nystagmus. It is generally observed in blind patients.Case reportThis paper presents the unique case of a normally sighted patient with a windmill nystagmus triggered by an episode of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo due to bilateral posterior canalolithiasis. Videonystagmography revealed an anticlockwise up-beating nystagmus followed by a clockwise down-beating nystagmus with a cycle lasting 2 minutes, followed by a brief burst of horizontal left-beating nystagmus.ConclusionThis case report represents the first observation of a new type of windmill nystagmus, probably provoked by a malfunction of the velocity storage mechanism, gaze-stabilisation and short-adaptation networks, with a loss of cerebellar inhibition.

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