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Two astronauts were subjected to earth vertical axis rotation and off vertical axis rotation before and after a 7 day space flight to determine nystagmus and perceived motion changes after exposure to microgravity. Postflight and preflight peak velocity and duration of nystagmus during vertical axis rotation were similar, as were pre- and postflight means and modulation of horizontal slow phase eye velocity. Preflight reports of perceived motion described translational movements about the circumference of a cone. Both astronauts perceived motion in a cone of larger circumference postflight than that perceived preflight, and one perceived either a larger cone with an upright axis or a smaller cone with a tilted axis. The authors conclude that the mean slow phase eye velocity component is produced by the velocity storage indicator, that the sensitivity of the otolithic system is increased after spaceflight, that the system requires a longer period of readaptation than canal induced responses, and that the otolithic signals are interpreted by the central nervous system to be due to translational motion.
Acta Otolaryngologica, 115(5):603-609, 1995. (28 references)
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