Cervico-Vestibular Interaction in the Control of Eye Movements

Abstract

To investigate the cervico-vestibular interaction in the control of eye movements, the effects of neck vibratory stimulation on caloric nystagmus were analysed in 58 normal subjects and 57 patients with unilateral labyrinthine dysfunction. Caloric nystagmus was enhanced or suppressed by neck vibratory stimulation in the patients with unilateral labyrinthine dysfunction. Specifically, there was a functional interaction between sensory inputs from the neck proprioceptors and the peripheral labyrinth in the patients with unilateral labyrinthine dysfunction. However, neck vibratory stimulation had no effect on caloric nystagmus in normal subjects. Cervico-vestibular intraction was not observed in normal subjects. These results indicate that the role of the cervical sensory inputs in normal subjects and in patients is different. That is, inputs from the neck proprioceptors have little effect on the control of eye movemonts in normal subjects, whereas the neck inputs are quite important for the control of eye movements in patients with unilateral labyrinthine dysfunction. © 1987, The Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan, Inc. All rights reserved.