Visual-vestibular interaction in the flocculus of the alert monkey. I. Input activity

Abstract

Neuronal activity in the flocculus of alert Rhesus monkeys was recorded during vestibular stimulation (rotation of the monkey about a vertical axis in complete darkness), optokinetic stimulation (rotation of the visual surround around the stationary monkey), combined visual-vestibular stimulation (rotation of the monkey inside the stationary surround in light), and conflicting visual-vestibular stimulation (rotation of the monkey together with the visual surround in the same direction). The input to the flocculus was recorded as non-Purkinje cell (non-P-cell) activity. Ninety per cent of the non-P-cells which were modulated during our stimulation paradigms carry information similar to that in the neurons of vestibular nuclei. This suggests that the main mossy fiber input to the flocculus originates in the vestibular nuclei. A second input of unknown origin conveys visual information about retinal slip. Thus, part of the flocculus -- as further discussed elsewhere (Waespe and Henn 1981) -- may be specialized to subserve visual-vestibular interaction to improve the nystagmus response.