Induction of illusory self-rotation and nystagmus by a rotating sound-field.

Subjects seated in darkness often experience illusory self-rotation when exposed to a rotating sound field. Compelling illusions of self-rotation are generally accompanied by nystagmoid movements of the eyes with the slow phase in the direction opposite that of the experienced self-rotation. These phenomena are related to the functioning of a spatial constancy mechanism by which a stable distinction is normally maintained between movements of self and movements of the environment. The appearance of nystagmus during illusory self-rotation indicates that apparent body orientation can influence oculomotor control.