Relationship of cat vestibular neurons to otolith-spinal reflexes.
The dynamics of neurons in the vestibular nuclei of canal-plugged, decerebrate cats were studied in response to lateral (roll) tilt. Forelimb and neck extensor reflexes recorded simultaneously develop a progressive phase lag above 0.1 Hz. Neurons which exhibited a muscle-like phase lag were excited during low frequency stimuli by ipsilateral side-up tilt (beta response). Neurons with alpha responses, excited during side-down tilt, exhibited a constant phase, without a high frequency lag. Vestibulospinal neurons were present in both of these response groups, as were units driven at monosynaptic latencies by electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral labyrinth. The phase-lagging beta responses are appropriate for contributing to the reflexes observed in the ipsilateral neck and contralateral forelimb.
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002415:Cats; D005552:Forelimb / Q000294:innervation; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000294:innervation*; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000294:innervation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000502:physiology*