Visual Input Improves the Speedometer Function of the Vestibular Nuclei in the Goldfish

摘要: The studies of Steinhausen [10] and electrophysiolog ical work on fishes [7] frogs [5, 8, 9] supported the concept cupuI~ endolymph system as an overdamped torsion pendulum which responds to changes in angular velocities. Within a limited frequency range it integrates acceleration over time, thus measuring velocities head movements. system, however, is deficient speedometer since lacks information about constant lack steady state discrimination results system's failure discriminate between decelerati3n from velocity, opposite direction zero velocity. For motion control therefore, vestibular deficient, supplementary sensory required, experiments described sngges~ that goldfish this velocity movement body provided by visual sense. Only interaction during combined stimulation both organs accurate information. Methods Single unit activity was recorded with tungsten micro-electrodes nuclei (Carassius auratus). floor fourth ventricle exposed, microeteetrode inserted under ~he aid mierescop~. correct position electrode verified histology. Experiments were carried out enc@hale isol6 preparation, relaxed Flaxedil, but without general anaesthesia. Animals placed turn-table (TSnnies), two inputs separately tested either rotating animal dark (exclusive stimulation) or surround stationary (visual stimulation). This projecting pattern black white stripes onto inner walls cylinder surrounded turn-table. Movement projected scene would be for normal rotation. when rotated light environment.