Role of the sensory innervation of the extraocular muscles in habituation of vestibulo-oculomotor responses.

The role of the sensory innervation of the extraocular muscles in extinction of reflex nystagmus induced by periodic rotation with standard angular acceleration was studies in experiments on rabbits. Limitation or complete abolition of the motor activity of the extraocular muscles and also passive forced movements of the eyes were used. Comparison of results obtained with intact animals and animals with abolition of motor activity of the extraocular muscles showed no difference between them. In both cases the dynamics of extinction of nystagmus was the same. On the other hand, repeated forced movements of the eyes had no effect on reflex nystagmus of the eyes. It is concluded from the results that the proprioceptive efferent innervation of the extraocular muscles plays no part in habituation of vestibulo-oculomotor responses.