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Responses to rotating linear acceleration vectors considered in relation to a model of the otolith organsHuman subjects were exposed to a linear acceleration vector that rotated in the transverse plane of the skull without angular counterrotation. Lateral eye movements showed a sinusoidal change in slow phase velocity and an asymmetry or bias in the same direction as vector rotation. A model is developed that attributes the oculomotor response to otolithic mechanisms. It is suggested that the bias component is the manifestation of torsion of the statoconial plaque relative to the base of the utricular macula and that the sinusoidal component represents the translational oscillation of the statoconia. The model subsumes a hypothetical neural mechanism which allows x- and y-axis accelerations to be resolved. Derivation of equations of motion for the statoconial plaque in torsion and translation, which take into account forces acting in shear and normal to the macula, yield estimates of bias and sinusoidal components that are in qualitative agreement with the diverse experimental findings.
Document ID
19740010662
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Benson, A. J.
(Royal Aerospace Establishment Farnborough, United Kingdom)
Barnes, G. R.
(Royal Aerospace Establishment Farnborough, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1973
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Fifth Symp. on the Role of the Vestibular Organs in Space Exploration
Subject Category
Biosciences
Accession Number
74N18775
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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