Instabilities in eye movement control: A model of periodic alternating nystagmus

Ernst R. Dow, Thomas J. Anastasio

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Nystagmus is a pattern of eye movement characterized by smooth rotations of the eye in one direction and rapid rotations in the opposite direction that reset eye position. Periodic alternating nystagmus (PAN) is a form of uncontrollable nystagmus that has been described as an unstable but amplitude-limited oscillation. PAN has been observed previously only in subjects with vestibulo-cerebellar damage. We describe results in which PAN can be produced in normal subjects by prolonged rotation in darkness. We propose a new model in which the neural circuits that control eye movement are inherently unstable, but this instability is kept in check under normal circumstances by the cerebellum. Circumstances which alter this cerebellar restraint, such as vestibulocerebellar damage or plasticity due to rotation in darkness, can lead to PAN.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Neural Information Processing Systems 10 - Proceedings of the 1997 Conference, NIPS 1997
PublisherNeural information processing systems foundation
Pages138-144
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)0262100762, 9780262100762
StatePublished - 1998
Event11th Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems, NIPS 1997 - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: Dec 1 1997Dec 6 1997

Publication series

NameAdvances in Neural Information Processing Systems
ISSN (Print)1049-5258

Other

Other11th Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems, NIPS 1997
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period12/1/9712/6/97

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Information Systems
  • Signal Processing

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