Summary
Recordings from neurons of the vestibular nuclei were performed in alert monkeys. Type I and type II units were identified by rotating the monkey about a vertical axis. All neurons responded also when only the visual surround was rotated around the stationary monkey. The combination of visual and vestibular stimulation points towards non-algebraic summation characteristics for the two inputs, with each input dominating the response over a certain range.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allum, J.H. J., Graf, W., Dichgans, J., Schmidt, C.L.: Visual-vestibular interactions in the vestibular nuclei of the goldfish. Exp. Brain Res. 26, 463–485 (1976)
Angaut, P., Brodal, A.: The projection of the “vestibulo-cerebellum” onto the vestibular nuclei in the cat. Arch. Ital. Biol. 105, 441–479 (1967)
Bond, H.W., Ho, P.: Solid miniature silver-silver chloride electrodes for chronic implantations. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 28, 206–208 (1970)
Büttner, U., Henn, V.: Thalamic unit activity in the alert monkey during natural vestibular stimulation. Brain Res. 103, 127–132 (1976)
Dichgans, J., Brandt, Th.: Visual-vestibular interaction and motion perception. In: Cerebral control of eye movements and motion perception (eds. J. Dichgans and E. Bizzi). Bibl. Ophthal. Vol. 82, pp. 327–338 1972
Dichgans, J., Schmidt, C.L., Graf, W.: Visual input improves the speedometer function of the vestibular nuclei in the goldfish. Exp. Brain Res. 18, 319–322 (1973)
Duensing, F., Schaefer, K.P.: Die Aktivität einzelner Neurone im Bereiche der Vestibulariskerne bei Horizontalbeschleunigungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des vestibulären Nystagmus. Arch. Psychiatr. Nervenkr. 198, 224–252 (1958)
Fernandez, C., Goldberg, J.M.: Physiology of peripheral neurons innervating semicircular canals of the squirrel monkey. II. Response to sinusoidal stimulation and dynamics of peripheral vestibular system. J. Neurophysiol. 34, 661–675 (1971)
Fuchs, A.F., Kimm, J.: Unit activity in vestibular nucleus of the alert monkey during horizontal angular accelerations and eye movements. J. Neurophysiol. 38, 1140–1161 (1975)
Henn, V., Young, L.R., Finley, C.: Vestibular nucleus units in alert monkeys are also influenced by moving visual fields. Brain Res. 71, 144–149 (1974)
Henn, V., Young, L.R.: Ernst Mach on the vestibular organ 100 years ago. J. Otolaryng. (Basel) 37, 138–148 (1975)
Ito, M., Nisimaru, N., Yamamoto, M.: Specific neuronal connections for the cerebellar control of vestibulo-ocular reflexes. Brain Res. 60, 238–243 (1973)
Keller, E., Daniels, P.: Oculomotor related interaction of vestibular and visual stimulation in vestibular nucleus cells in alert monkey. Exp. Neurol. 46, 187–198 (1975)
Keller, E.L.: Behavior of horizontal semicircular canal afferents in alert monkey during vestibular and optokinetic stimulation. Exp. Brain Res. 24, 459–471 (1976)
Klinke, R., Schmidt, C.L.: Efferent influence on the vestibular organ during active movements of the body. Pflügers Arch. 318, 325–332 (1970)
Koerner, F., Schiller, P.H.: The optokinetic response under open and closed loop conditions in the monkey. Exp. Brain Res. 14, 318–330 (1972)
Komatsuzaki, A., Harris, H.E., Alpert, J., Cohen, B.: Horizontal nystagmus of Rhesus monkeys. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) 67, 535–551 (1969)
Lisberger, S.G., Fuchs, A.F.: Response of flocculus Purkinje cells to adequate vestibular stimulation in the alert monkey: fixation vs. compensatory eye movements. Brain Res. 69, 347–353 (1974)
Mach, E.: Grundlinien der Lehre von den Bewegungsempfindungen. Leipzig: Engelmann, 1875 (reprint Amsterdam: Bonset, 1967)
Maekawa, K., Simpson, J.I.: Climbing fiber activation of Purkinje cells in the flocculus by impulses transferred through the visual pathway. Brain Res. 39, 245–251 (1972)
Melvill Jones, G., Milsum, J.H.: Frequency response analysis of central vestibular unit activity resulting from rotational stimulation of the semicircular canals. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 219, 191–215 (1971)
Miles, F.A.: Single unit firing patterns in the vestibular nuclei related to voluntary eye movements and passive body rotation in conscious monkeys. Brain Res. 71, 215–224 (1974)
Miles, F.A., Fuller, J.H.: Visual tracking and the primate flocculus. Science 189, 1000–1002 (1975)
Miles, T. S., Henn, V. S.: Time constants of secondary vestibular neurons recorded from alert monkeys. Pflügers Arch. Suppl. 362, R49 (1976)
Schneider, L.W., Anderson, D.J.: Transfer characteristics of first and second order lateral canal vestibular neurons in gerbil. Brain Res. 112, 61–76 (1976)
Shimazu, H., Precht, W.J.: Tonic and kinetic responses of cats vestibular neurons to horizontal angular acceleration. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 991–1013 (1965)
Shimazu, H., Precht, W.J.: Inhibition of central vestibular neurons from the contralateral labyrinth and its mediating pathway. J. Neurophysiol. 29, 467–492 (1966)
Takemori, S., Cohen, B.: Loss of visual suppression of vestibular nystagmus after flocculus lesions. Brain Res. 72, 213–224 (1974)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by Swiss National Foundation for Scientific Research 3.044.76 and Emil-Barell-Foundation of Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Waespe, W., Henn, V. Neuronal activity in the vestibular nuclei of the alert monkey during vestibular and optokinetic stimulation. Exp Brain Res 27, 523–538 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239041
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239041