Objective: Recording the nystagmus of small experimental rodents is an integral
technique in vestibular research. Theoretically, the size and the shape of markers
strongly affect the analysis of 3 dimensional nystagmus.
Methods
The nystagmus of 6 healthy ICR mice were recorded and their gain
values were compared using 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, and 600 μm isosceles
triangle markers at the peak velocity of 60o/sec and 100o/sec with the rotational
stimulations of 0.1 Hz, 0.2 Hz, and 0.5 Hz.
Results
The gain values of 3 different sizes of the markers showed no significant
differences in horizontal- vertical-torsional component. However, it was unable
to record the nystagmus with 200 μm markers since the markers were too small
to be placed and stayed on the center of the pupils.
Conclusion
Technicians can decide the size of the markers from 200 to 600 ?m
to record the nystagmus of mice, depending on the technicians’ skills.