Dr. Wu Zhou studies the neural mechanisms of sensorimotor transformation in the vestibular system. The VOR (vestibulo-ocular reflex) transforms head motion signals into motor commands to generate compensatory eye movements that work to stabilize gaze during head movement. We employ behavioral, single unit recording and computational modeling approaches to investigate how cortical and subcortical structures contribute to the neural information processing of the VOR.

There are two current grant-supported vestibular system projects. "Motor Learning and Neural Plasticity in the Vestibular System" is supported by federal grant NIH R01 DC05785. We were recently awarded another NIH grant, R01 DC008585, "Multiplicative Computation in the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex."

Project funding during the past few years includes:

• NIH (Subcontract) - Zhou (PI) 06/01/02-08/31/03 "The Oculomotor System: Neural Structure and Functiom"
• NIH Program for the Support of Vestibular Research Zhou (Co-PI) (PI, Dr. WM King) 09/01/99-08/31/03
• "Signal Processing and Adaptation in Central Otolith Pathways" NIH R01 EY04045 Zhou (Co-PI) (PI, Dr. WM King) 12/01/00-11/30/04 "Oculomotor System-Neural Structure and Function"