Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Horizontal vestibular nystagmus. II. Activity patterns of medial vestibular neurones during nystagmus

  • Published:
Experimental Brain Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    Identified medial vestibular neurones were studied before, during and after nystagmogenic labyrinthine stimulation in the Encéphale isolé cat. Motor discharges were simultaneously recorded from the contralateral abducens nerve.

  2. 2.

    87.9% of the recorded neurones showed changes in tonic firing frequency during repetitive labyrinthine stimulation with no nystagmic modulation in behaviour.

  3. 3.

    The secondary vestibular neurones projecting monosynaptically to the contralateral abducens motoneurones were included in this non-rhythmic population.

  4. 4.

    Only 2% of the recorded population fired rhythmically both during nystagmogenic stimulation and poststimulation nystagmus. These neurones showed plasticity in behaviour regarding the phases of nystagmus recorded from the contralateral abducens nerve.

  5. 5.

    The remaining 10.1% of the medial vestibular neurones were excited or inhibited by repetitive stimulation of the labyrinth but showed burst firing patterns correlated with poststimulation nystagmic discharges.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adrian, E.D.: Discharges from vestibular receptors in the cat. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 101, 389–407 (1943)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R., Berthoz, A.: Organization of vestibular nystagmus in oblique oculomotor system. J. Neurophysiol. 37, 195–217 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R.G., Mano, N., Shimazu, H.: Postsynaptic potentials in abducens motoneurons induced by vestibular stimulation. Brain Res. 15, 577–580 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barron, D.H., Matthews, B.H.C.: Intermittent conduction in the spinal cord. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 85, 73–103 (1939)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodal, A., Pompeiano, O., Walberg, F.: The vestibular nuclei and their connections: anatomy and functional correlations. Edinburgh-London: Oliver and Boyd 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatelier, G., Leitner, L.M.: Localisation d'unités synchrones du nystagmus dans le rhombencé-phale du lapin. J. Physiol. (Paris) 54, 312 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, B.: The vestibulo-ocular reflex arc. In: Handbook of Sensory Physiology, Vol. VI, Vestibular system, Part 1, Basic mechanisms (ed. H.H. Kornhuber). p. 477–540. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, B., Henn, V.: The origin of quick phase of nystagmus in the horizontal plane. In: Cerebral control of eye movement and motion perception, Bibl. ophthalmol. no. 82 (eds. J. Dichgans and E. Bizzi), p. 36–55. Basel: S. Karger 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Desole, C., Pallestrini, E.A.: Responses of vestibular units to stimulation of individual semi-circular canals. Exp. Neurol. 24, 310–324 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVito, R.V., Brusa, A., Arduini, A.: Cerebellar and vestibular influences on deitersian units. J. Neurophysiol. 19, 241–253 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duensing, F., Schaefer, K.P.: Neuronenaktivität in der Formatio reticularis des Rhombencephalons beim vestibulären Nystagmus. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 196, 265–290 (1957a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duensing, F., Schaefer, K.P.: Die „locker gekoppelten” Neurone der Formatio reticularis des Rhombencephalons beim vestibulären Nystagmus. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 196, 402–420 (1957b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duensing, F., Schaefer, K.P.: Die Aktivität einzelner Neurone im Bereich der Vestibulariskerne bei Horizontalbeschleunigungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des vestibulären Nystagmus. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 198, 225–252 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckel, W.: Elektrophysiologische und histologische Untersuchungen im Vestibulariskerngebiet bei Drehreizen. Arch. Ohr.-Nas.-Kehlk.-Heilk. 164, 487–513 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs, A.F., Kimm, J.: Unit activity in vestibular nucleus of the alert monkey during horizontal angular acceleration and eye movement. J. Neurophysiol. 38, 1140–1160 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gernandt, B.E.: Response of mammalian vestibular neurons to horizontal rotation and caloric stimulation. J. Neurophysiol. 12, 173–184 (1949)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, J.M., Fernandez, C.: Vestibular mechanisms. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 37, 129–162 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, K., Guéritaud, J.P., Horcholle-Bossavit, G., Tyć-Dumont, S.: The activity of identified secondary vestibular neurons during nystagmus. Brain Res. 105, 342–346 (1976a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, K., Guéritaud, J.P., Horcholle-Bossavit, G., Tyć-Dumont, S.: Horizontal vestibular nystagmus. I. Identification of medial vestibular neurones. Exp. Brain Res. 26, 367–386 (1976b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, Y., Spira, M.E., Parnas, N.I.: Differential flow of information into branches of a single axon. Brain Res. 64, 379–386 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatt, H., Smith, D.O.: Axon conduction block: differential channeling of nerve impulses in the crayfish. Brain Res. 87, 85–88 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henn, V., Cohen, B.: Activity in eye muscle motoneurons and brain stem units during eye movements. In: Basic mechanisms of ocular motility and their clinical implications (eds. G. Lennerstrand and P. Bach-y-Rita), p. 303–324. Oxford-New York: Pergamon Press 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Highstein, S.M., Ito, M., Tsuchiya, T.: Synaptic linkage in the vestibulo-ocular reflex pathway of rabbit. Exp. Brain Res. 13, 306–326 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Horcholle, G., Tyć-Dumont, S.: Activités unitaires des neurones vestibulaires et oculomoteurs au cours du nystagmus. Exp. Brain Res. 5, 16–31 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Horcholle-Bossavit, G., Tyć-Dumont, S.: Phénomènes synaptiques du nystagmus. Exp. Brain Res. 8, 201–218 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, M., Hongo, T., Okada, Y.: Vestibular evoked postsynaptic potentials in Deiters neurones. Exp. Brain Res. 7, 214–230 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J., Brodal, A.: Aspects of cerebellar anatomy. Oslo: Johan Grundt Tanum 1954

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasahara, M., Mano, M., Oshima, T., Ozawa, S., Shimazu, H.: Contralateral short latency inhibition in central vestibular neurons in the horizontal system. Brain Res. 8, 376–378 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawai, N., Ito, M., Nozue, M.: postsynaptic influences on the vestibular non-Deiters nuclei from primary vestibular nerve. Exp. Brain Res. 8, 190–200 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, E.L., Kamath, B.Y.: Characteristics of head rotation and eye movement related neurons in alert monkey vestibular nucleus. Brain Res. 100, 182–187 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorente de Nó, R.: Vestibulo-ocular reflex arc. Arch. Neurol. Psychiat. (Chic.) 30, 245–291 (1933)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorente de Nó, R.: Analysis of the activity of the chains of internuncial neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 1, 207–244 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstein, O., Sand, A.: The individual and integrated activity of the semi-circular canal of the elasmobranch labyrinth. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 99, 89–101 (1940a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstein, O., Sand, A.: The mechanism of the semi-circular canal. A study of the responses of single-fibre preparations to angular accelerations and rotation at constant speed. Proc. roy. Soc. Biol. 129, 256–275 (1940b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luschei, E.S., Fuchs, A.F.: Activity of brain stem neurons during eye movements of alert monkeys. J. Neurophysiol. 35, 445–461 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maeda, M., Shimazu, H., Shinoda, Y.: Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in the abducens motoneurons associated with the quick relaxation phase of vestibular nystagmus. Brain Res. 26, 420–424 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maeda, M., Shimazu, H., Shinoda, Y.: Rhythmic activity of secondary vestibular efferent fibers recorded within the abducens nucleus during vestibular nystagmus. Brain Res. 34, 361–365 (1971b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maeda, M., Shimazu, H., Shinoda, Y.: Nature of synaptic events in cat abducens motoneurons at slow and quick phase of vestibular nystagmus. J. Neurophysiol. 35, 279–296 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Manni, E., Azzena, G.B., Casey, H., Dow, R.S.: Influence of the labyrinth on unitary discharge of the oculomotor nucleus and some adjacent formations. Exp. Neurol. 12, 9–24 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mano, N., Oshima, T., Shimazu, H.: Inhibitory commissural fibers interconnecting the bilateral vestibular nuclei. Brain Res. 8, 378–382 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Melvill Jones, G., Milsum, J.H.: Frequency-response analysis of central vestibular unit activity resulting from rotational stimulation of the semi-circular canals. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 219, 191–215 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyberg-Hansen, R.: Origin and termination of fibers from the vestibular nuclei descending in the medial longitudinal fasciculus. An experimental study with silver impregnation methods in the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 122, 355–367 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Precht, W.: Vestibular system. In: M.T.P. International Review of Sciences, Neurophysiology, Physiol. Ser. 1, vol. 3 (eds. A.C. Guyton and C.C. Hunt), p. 82–149. Butterworths: Univ. Pasik Press 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Precht, W., Baker, R.: Synaptic organization of the vestibulo-trochlear pathway. Exp. Brain Res. 14, 158–184 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Precht, W., Grippo, J., Wagner, A.: Untersuchungen zur Organisation des vestibulo-spinalen Systems. Arch. ges. Physiol. 291, 6 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Precht, W., Grippo, J., Wagner, A.: Contribution of different types of central vestibular neurons to the vestibulospinal system. Brain Res. 4, 119–123 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheibel, A., Markham, C., Koegler, R.: Neural correlates of the vestibular ocular reflex. Neurology 11, 1055–1065 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimazu, H.: Vestibulo-oculomotor relations: dynamic responses. In: Basic aspects of central vestibular mechanisms. (eds. A. Brodal and O. Pompeiano). Progr. Brain Res. 37, 493–506 (1972)

  • Shimazu, H., Precht, W.: Tonic and kinetic responses of cat's vestibular neurons to horizontal angular acceleration. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 991–1013 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimazu, H., Precht, W.: Inhibition of central vestibular neurons from the contralateral labyrinth and its mediating pathway. J. Neurophysiol. 29, 467–492 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, D.L., Travis, R.P., Jr.: Firing patterns of reticular formation neurons during horizontal eye movements. Brain Res. 33, 477–481 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentágothai, J.: Die zentrale Innervation der Augenbewegungen. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 116, 721–760 (1943)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentágothai, J.: Pathways and synaptic articulation patterns connecting vestibular receptors and oculomotor nuclei. In: The oculo-motor system (ed. M.B. Bender), p. 205–223. New York: Harper and Row 1964

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentágothai, J., Schab, R.: A midbrain inhibitory mechanism of the oculomotor activity. Acta physiol. Acad. Sci. hung. 9, 89–98 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Waxman, S.G.: Regional differentiation of the axon: a review with special reference to the concept of the multiplex neuron. Brain Res. 47, 269–288 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, V.J., Wylie, R.M., Marco, L.A.: Projection to the spinal cord from the medial and descending vestibular nuclei of the cat. Nature (Lond.) 215, 429–430 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, V.J., Wylie, R.M., Marco, L.A.: Organization of the medial vestibular nucleus. J. Neurophysiol. 31, 166–175 (1968a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, V.J., Wylie, R.M., Marco, L.A.: Synaptic inputs to cells in the medial vestibular nucleus. J. Neurophysiol. 31, 176–185 (1968b)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Physiologie nerveuse du C.N.R.S., F - 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

    K. Grant, J. P. Gueritaud, G. Horcholle-Bossavit & S. Tyć-Dumont

Authors
  1. K. Grant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. P. Gueritaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Horcholle-Bossavit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Tyć-Dumont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

French exchange scholar of the Medical Research Council

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Grant, K., Gueritaud, J.P., Horcholle-Bossavit, G. et al. Horizontal vestibular nystagmus. II. Activity patterns of medial vestibular neurones during nystagmus. Exp Brain Res 26, 387–405 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234221

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234221

Key words

Search

Navigation