Mouse Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Testing for Otolith Organs and Horizontal Semicircular Canal

Vestibulo-ocular reflexes (VORs) are compensatory ocular reflexes that maintain stable vision during head movements. In research, VORs encompass angular VOR (aVOR) and off-vertical axis rotation (OVAR) tests, which various groups have employed to assess vestibular function in mice. This protocol outlines the process for measuring VORs in mice, including eye rotation calibration, immobilizing the mouse with a noninvasive setup, configuring the aVOR and OVAR stimulus modes, and interpreting the obtained waveforms to derive VOR values. As technology advances, VORs are expected to yield more qualitative and quantitative insights into the function of the horizontal semicircular canal cristae (HSCC) and the otolith organs. This methodology can serve as a standard for evaluating common vestibular deficits in mice. Key features • The integrated aVOR and OVAR modes enable us to evaluate both the otolith organs and horizontal semicircular canals. • The calibration tools used in our system ensure standardization between different systems, facilitating comparison of results between laboratories. • Animal holders provide a rapid and convenient method for conducting VOR tests without the need for anesthesia or surgery.