Summary
Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) continues after the cessation of visual stimulation in complete darkness as primary optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN I). After variable periods of time, it is followed by secondary OKAN (OKAN II). Short periods of visual fixation during OKAN I in monkey and in man inhibit OKAN I, but enhance OKAN II. The enhanced OKAN II starts earlier, lasts longer, and often reaches higher slow-phase velocities than in control experiments.Therefore, OKAN II depends not on the occurrence or strength of OKAN I, but mainly on parameters of the preceding optokinetic stimulus. Results suggest that OKAN I duration is partially determined by the development of OKAN II.
Zusammenfassung
Der optokinetische Nystagmus (OKN) dauert in Dunkelheit als optokinetischer Nachnystagmus (OKAN) fort. Der primäre OKAN (OKAN I) schlägt in dieselbe Richtung wie der vorausgehende OKN. Nach einer variablen Periode erfolgt eine Nystagmusumkehr (OKAN II). Beim Rhesusaffen und beim Menschen wurden die Effekte kurzer Fixationsperioden während des primären OKAN auf OKAN I und OKAN II untersucht. Durch solche Fixationsperioden wird OKAN I gehemmt, OKAN II jedoch nach Intensität und Dauer verstärkt. Deshalb ist OKAN II vorwiegend von den Parametern der vorausgegangenen optokinetischen Reizung abhängig. Die Resultate zeigen, daß OKAN II auch die Dynamik und Dauer des OKAN I mitbestimmen kann.
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Supported in part by Swiss National Foundation for Scientific Research 3.672-0.77 and the European Training Program for Brain and Behavior Research
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Waespe, W., Huber, T. & Henn, V. Dynamic changes of optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN) caused by brief visual fixation periods in monkey and in man. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 226, 1–10 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344118
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344118