Neuronal events correlated with long-term adaptation of the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex in the primate flocculus

Brain Res. 1984 Apr 9;297(1):169-74. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(84)90555-9.

Abstract

The activity of flocculus Purkinje cells was examined in Japanese monkeys during sustained vestibular-visual stimulation which caused adaptation of the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (H-VOR). In the floccular area related to the H-VOR by microstimulation. Purkinje cells consistently changed their simple spike responsiveness to head rotation in parallel with the adaptive H-VOR gain change. Similar changes occurred even after the H-VOR had been extinguished by lesioning of the vestibular nuclei. The complex spike discharge, on the other hand, modulated during vestibular-visual stimulation with a reciprocal pattern to the adaptive changes in the simple spike discharge. These results support the hypothesis that the flocculus adaptively modifies the H-VOR through their simple spike activity under the influence of visual climbing fiber signals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cerebellar Cortex / physiology*
  • Eye Movements*
  • Macaca
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Purkinje Cells / physiology
  • Reflex / physiology*
  • Vestibular Nuclei / physiology
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / physiology*