Effects of arousal reaction on nystagmus habituation in the cat

The effects of the arousal reaction on the reduction or habituation of nystagmus in the unanesthetized cat repeatedly rotated in darkness were determined. A reduction in nystagmus was associated with a reduction of alertness as indicated by the electroencephalogram, but alerting an animal by sounds occasioned only a temporary and partial recovery of nystagmus. Further, a continuous arousal sustained by cutaneous electric shock stimuli did not prevent habituation. It is concluded that a reduction of alertness is not wholly responsible for the nystagmic reduction and that other factors, not yet identified, play a powerful role.