Biomaterial Database

The effects of ethanol on visual-vestibular interaction during active and passive head movements. 1985

G R Barnes, and J W Crombie, and A Edge

The effects on visual-vestibular interaction of a moderate dose of ethyl alcohol (blood alcohol 80 mg X 100 ml -1) have been investigated in two experiments. In the first, alcohol was shown to degrade both visual pursuit and suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in a similar manner when the vestibular response was induced by passive oscillation on a turntable at frequencies of 0.11-1.2 Hz. In the second experiment a similar degradation in VOR suppression was observed when subjects made volitional head movements at frequencies of 0.5-3 Hz. In addition, the effectiveness of vestibulo-ocular compensation was shown to be significantly reduced by alcohol when viewing an earth-fixed target during voluntary head movements. Although alcohol induced small changes in the vestibulo-ocular response recorded in darkness, the main effect on oculomotor performance was a reduced effectiveness in the visual feedback of retinal error information.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D012018	Reflex	An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D003623	Dark Adaptation	Adjustment of the eyes under conditions of low light. The sensitivity of the eye to light is increased during dark adaptation.	Scotopic Adaptation,Adaptation, Dark,Adaptation, Scotopic
D005133	Eye Movements	Voluntary or reflex-controlled movements of the eye.	Eye Movement,Movement, Eye,Movements, Eye
D006257	Head	The upper part of the human body, or the front or upper part of the body of an animal, typically separated from the rest of the body by a neck, and containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs.	Heads
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000431	Ethanol	A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.	Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D012438	Saccades	An abrupt voluntary shift in ocular fixation from one point to another, as occurs in reading.	Pursuit, Saccadic,Saccadic Eye Movements,Eye Movement, Saccadic,Eye Movements, Saccadic,Movement, Saccadic Eye,Movements, Saccadic Eye,Pursuits, Saccadic,Saccade,Saccadic Eye Movement,Saccadic Pursuit,Saccadic Pursuits
D014722	Vestibule, Labyrinth	An oval, bony chamber of the inner ear, part of the bony labyrinth. It is continuous with bony COCHLEA anteriorly, and SEMICIRCULAR CANALS posteriorly. The vestibule contains two communicating sacs (utricle and saccule) of the balancing apparatus. The oval window on its lateral wall is occupied by the base of the STAPES of the MIDDLE EAR.	Vestibular Apparatus,Ear Vestibule,Vestibular Labyrinth,Vestibule of Ear,Vestibulum Auris,Apparatus, Vestibular,Ear Vestibules,Labyrinth Vestibule,Labyrinth Vestibules,Labyrinth, Vestibular,Labyrinths, Vestibular,Vestibular Labyrinths,Vestibule, Ear,Vestibules, Ear,Vestibules, Labyrinth