FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-71/16

Title and Subtitle: Alcohol and disorientation-related responses. II. Nystagmus and "vertigo" during angular acceleration

Report Date: April 1971

Authors: Schroeder DJ

Abstract: The integrity of the visual and vestibular systems is important in the maintenance of orientation during flight. Although alcohol is known to affect the vestibular system through the development of a positional alcohol nystagmus, information concerning the effects of alcohol on 'vertigo' and eye-movement (nystagmus) responses to angular acceleration is contradictory. This study was designed to investigate the effect of alcohol ingestion on both 'vertigo' and nystagmus responses to angular stimulation. Responses were obtained (a) with and without visual fixation, and (b) with the alertness of the subjects controlled.

Key Words: Alcohol, Nystagmus, Vestibluar, Visual Fixation, Ophthalmology, Perception (Physiology), Vision

No. of Pages: 27