Summary
A photographic technique was used to study the evolution of lateral head-tilt following hemilabyrinthectomy in adult cats. Animals were maintained post-operatively in normally lit conditions (LM cats), in total darkness (DM cats), or in stroboscopic light.
In LM cats, the head tilt peaked at 45 degrees (with the lesionned side down) on the second post-operative day, and decreased to about 0 degree within about 10 days. This evolution was followed by rebounds of head-tilt to larger angles before a stable compensated head position could be maintained (approximately at the end of the third post-operative month).
In DM cats, the head remained tilted by a large angle throughout the duration of the dark period. Re-exposure to light was followed by a rapid decrease of head-tilt.
In stroboscopic light, the evolution of head-tilt was found to be closely similar to that in the normally lit condition.
Finally, when put back in the dark at a late post-operative stage, already compensated animals were found to loose their symmetrical head position, and to re-acquire a strong head tilt. This effect resumed on re-exposure to light.
It is inferred that static visual input is a necessary condition for compensation of the postural deficits of hemi-labyrinthectomy in the cat. Maintenance of a stable head posture also depends upon continuous availability of visual input.
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Putkonen, P.T.S., Courjon, J.H. & Jeannerod, M. Compensation of postural effects of hemilabyrinthectomy in the cat. A sensory substitution process?. Exp Brain Res 28, 249–257 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235707
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235707