title: Vestibular, olfactory, and vibratory responses of nucleus basalis prosencephali neurons in pigeons.
abstract: Evoked multiple unit responses were recorded through chronically implanted electrodes from the nucleus basalis prosencephali of the pigeon (Columba livia) upon vibratory stimulation of the beak-tip and airborne auditory stimulation, thus confirming earlier anatomical and physiological findings. Electrical stimulation of the olfactory nerve led to similar short latency responses. A specific directional sensitivity to rotatory vestibular stimulation was observed. Pitch motions of the head in the downward direction evoked the most pronounced multi-unit responses. These results support the suggestion that the nucleus basalis prosencephali is a sensorimotor coordinator of the pigeon's pecking/feeding behaviour.
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000502:physiology*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration