The olive and central control of blood pressure.
This evidence, then, would suggest that the olive becomes active when, with a change in the motor task, the motor performance is required to adjust to the new circumstance. From Smith's experiments on blood pressure, it is extrapolated that the olive becomes active when there is a change in the physiological state, and the autonomic performance is required to adjust to the new circumstance. The important point is that the olive does have an experimental effect on blood pressure, and that it is a specific, though indirect, effect acting through the carotid sinus reflex. This effect appears similar to the effect on motor control which is specific for motor learning, and appears to act indirectly through the cerebellum. The hypothesis is being put forward because of the importance of blood pressure abnormalities, and the possible therpeutic benefits to be derived from an understanding of the central control of blood pressure. It is hoped that in pursuing this elusive control system one shall not overlook the olive.
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*