Research Article

Normative vestibulo-ocular reflex data in yaw and pitch axes using the video head-impulse test

Abstract

Background and Aim: The video head-impulse test (vHIT) measures the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) driven by each semicircular canal, follo­wing high-acceleration head rotations. The main measurable response is the ratio of eye mov­ement velocity to the angular head velocity, which reflects canal function. Although norma­tive data is available for VOR gain, most studies only report horizontal VOR characteristics, ignoring variations in vertical plane VOR gains. The purpose of this study was to establish nor­mative data for future comparisons of vesti­bulopathy patients.
Methods: Vestibulo-ocular reflex gain and refi­xation saccades were assessed across 50 healthy individuals between the ages of 20 and 64, without any previous or current vestibular dis­orders, by applying and measuring horizontal and vertical head impulses.
Results: The mean VOR velocity gain was 0.96 (SD=0.11) and 0.93 (SD=0.17) for the hori­zontal and vertical canals, respectively. The variation of the gain in right anterior/left pos­terior and left anterior/right posterior move­ments appeared to be wider than in the laterals, but the results were not influenced by direction (p>0.05). Refixation saccades occurred in 7.2 percent of all impulse trials, with a majority occurring covertly in lateral canals. Unlike saccades (more often observed in subjects older than 50), the VOR velocity gain varied independently of age.
Conclusion: The findings suggest these gain values can be used to determine VOR deficits in patients. vHIT values are affected by diff­erent factors, especially in the vertical plane, so further study is needed to confirm normal ranges of vertical vHIT values.

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IssueVol 25 No 1 (2016) QRcode
SectionResearch Article(s)
Keywords
Head impulse test vestibulo-ocular reflex semicircular canals eye movement
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How to Cite
1.
Naderi N, Hajiabolhassan F, Farahani S, Yazdani N, Jalaie S. Normative vestibulo-ocular reflex data in yaw and pitch axes using the video head-impulse test. Aud Vestib Res. 2016;25(1):39-48.