[Impulse activity of neurons of the lateral vestibular nucleus in guinea pigs during locomotion]

Abstract

The influence of spontaneous locomotion on the resting impulse activity of the lateral vestibular nucleus neurons was investigated in the decerebrated guinea pig. Appearance of the rhythmic limb muscle activity was followed by an increase of the frequency of the resting discharge from 10-50 to 100 imp./s. An increase in the frequency of discharges was observed at the beginning of the forelimb extensor muscle activity, i.e. at the end of the swing phase and beginning of the stance phase of the locomotor cycle. It is suggested that the observed changes in the activity of vestibular neurons provide high tonus of antigravitational muscles, which is the base for rhythmic movements of the limbs.