Does the vertical semicircular canal influence the subjective visual vertical?

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of vertical semicircular canals on the subjective visual vertical (SVV). SVV was measured on conditions with or without the rotatory stimulus in a head-tilted position, 60 deg back-ward and then rotated 45 deg either to the right or left in 7 healthy volunteers. By this procedure, it was possible to evaluate the SVV elicited by the excitability of vertical semicircular canals. SVV was normal on the condition without the rotatory stimulus. However, SVV was abnormal on the condition with the rotatory stimulus, especially, which was much deviated during the posterior canal excited. We conclude that the vertical semicircular canal influences the spatial orientation such as the SVV.