Re: Can audio/visual synchronization of reflexes affect cinema viewing?

Your question is a bit vague, in terms of "reflexes," because your question 
actually concerns more than just neuroscience. You are combining a question 
regarding two different sets of "peripherals" (the set of eyes, and the set of 
ears), which are the receptors of outside information, with the very different 
question of how your brain processes the information sent by those peripherals 
to the cranial nerves, and associated brain processing centers.

There could be many different reasons why you are not perceiving a 
synchronization of sound and images while you are watching a film. Some of 
these reasons could be: 1.) The soundtrack on the film you are watching is not 
synchronized properly on the motion picture film, and/or there may be a problem 
with the theatre's motion picture projection equipment; 2.) You could have a 
physical problem, even a slight one, in either or both of your eyes, and/or 
either or both of your ears, that causes the problem you described. This would 
require both visual perception and auditory perception testing, to rule out 
these possibilities; 3.) There could be a slight delay in the transmission of 
information to your visual nerves, and/or your auditory nerves. Once again, 
this requires more intensive neurological testing, to rule out these possible 
causes; 4.) If you are seeing a film that has been "dubbed" to or from a 
foreign language, or which has been altered from the original master film from 
which the film was originally made, there is usually a "gap" between the sound 
and image, and this is fairly common; 5.) Vitamin A has been known to enhance 
some forms of visual functions, particularly in people who have certain visual 
dysfunctions and disabilities, but you need to ask your physician if Vitamin A 
is appropriate for you to personally take, and ask which dosages are right for 
you -- do not exceed the recommended dosage per day; 6.) Calcium, Sodium and 
Potassium have been long known to be involved in nerve transmission, and in the 
transmission of information from your "peripheral" sensory organs (eyes and 
ears) to the associated cranial nerves. However, once again, you should get a 
standard blood test from your doctor, and ask your physician if you need 
supplementation of any necessary vitamins and minerals, and, if so, the proper 
dosages per day, before such supplementation. Taking too much of any vitamin or 
mineral, particularly those involved in nerve transmission functions, can cause 
the chemical balance to be disrupted, and therefore can cause nervous system 
problems. 

A little more research should be done about the films that you are watching, 
and the theatre at which the films are being watched. It is a fairly common 
occurrence for film projection equipment to be "out of synch," (out of 
synchronization between the image and the soundtrack), and this is a possible 
answer to your question. It would be even more possible as an answer if the 
problems are occurring in a motion picture theatre, and much more probable if 
you are going to one specific theater, but the problems do not occur when you 
are watching television broadcasts, and/or movies at another motion picture 
theatre with better projection equipment.

Thank you for contacting MadSci, and best wishes on your future research 
endeavors.