Abstract
Cortical and hippocampal EEG patterns that persist after atropine sulfate administration are defined as atropine-resistant. In the rat, such patterns are movement-related, cortical low-voltage fast activity (LVFA) and movement-related, hippocampal rhythmic slow activity (RSA or “theta”). A close relationship exists between head movement and activation of atropine-resistant EEG. In the present study, we asked whether manipulation of vestibular sensory input would affect atropine-resistant EEG. To allow experimenter control, 6 vestibular-intact rats were made cataleptic with haloperidol and were then injected with atropine sulfate. Movement of the rats* heads by the experimenter (passive head movement) failed to activate atropine-resistant EEG. These animals were then rotated on a turntable. Such vestibular stimulation, the effectiveness of which was reflected by postrotatory ocular nystagmus, &lso failed to activate atropine-resistant EEG. These and 5 other rats were then subjected to surgical or chemical deafferentation of the labyrinth. They were tested for EEG atropine resistance before and after this surgery. Although atropine-resistant EEG patterns in response to active bodily movements still appeared after vestibular deafferentation, the frequency of hippocampal RSA during active movement was reduced with or without atropine. In contrast, &n atropine-sensitive component in the hippocampal EEG during immobility was not changed by vestibular deafferentation. We conclude that vestibular reafferent feedback is neither necessary nor sufficient for the atropine-resistant EEG, but that such feedback from active movement has a modulatory effect on hippocampal RSA.
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This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health Grant ROI NS11671 to P. Teitelbaum and by National Institutes of Health Senior Research Fellowship 1 F33 NS07383 to T. L. DeVietti. It Was conducted while T. L. DeVietti was on professional leave at the University of Illinois
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Shoham, S., Chen, YC., Devietti, T.L. et al. Deafferentation of the vestibular organ: Effects on atropine-resistant EEG in rats. Psychobiology 17, 307–314 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03337786
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03337786