Labyrinthine Defects as Shown by Ataxia and Caloric Tests

Abstract

Most of the individuals with labyrinthine defects severe enough to produce ataxia test performance scores within the lowest 5% of the normal distributions also showed threshold caloric test responses which fell within the same range. Similarly, almost as many individuals with decreased threshold caloric test responses also showed poor ataxia test performance scores. While vestibular influences governing threshold caloric test responses are far more specific than those affecting results on the ataxia tests, the high agreement shown between results of each in groups of individuals with various loss or disturbance of labyrinthine function implies a common vestibular effect to a considerable degree.