Visual modulation of neuronal activity within the rat vestibular nuclei.
Sixty-two of 95 units within the vestibular nuclei of 24 hooded, Long-Evans rats were found to respond to both linear accelerations on a parallel swing and to linear movements of the visual field. The addition of visual clues during periods of linear accelerations produced a phase shift in the majority of the units towards the maximal acceleration of the animal, and an increase in the peak activity during the periods of maximal acceleration. Conflicting visual-vestibular stimulation resulted in reduced directional sensitivity and lower rates of firing in visually sensitive units.
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007699:Kinesthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000502:physiology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*