Related Experiment Videos
[Oculomotor reflex evoked by vibrassae stimulation in the cat]
Comptes Rendus Des Seances De L'Academie Des Sciences. Serie D, Sciences Naturelles
|December 17, 1979
Summary
Stimulating cat whiskers activates eye movement neurons. Low-threshold A alpha afferent fibers from the infraorbital nerve transmit vibrissae displacement signals to lateral rectus motoneurons.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Physiology
- Oculomotor Research
Context:
- Investigating the neural pathways controlling eye movements.
- Understanding sensory-motor integration in the mammalian brain.
- Utilizing the "encéphale isolé" preparation for acute electrophysiological studies.
Purpose:
- To elucidate the oculomotor effects of vibrissae stimulation.
- To identify the specific neural projections involved in this reflex.
- To characterize the afferent fiber properties mediating the response.
Summary:
- Intracellular recordings in non-anesthetized cats revealed an excitatory projection from the ipsilateral infraorbital nerve to lateral rectus motoneurons following vibrissae stimulation.
- The afferent pathway involves low-threshold (0.2-0.5 mA) Type A alpha fibers.
- These fibers transmit information regarding vibrissae displacement, influencing oculomotor control.
Impact:
- Provides insight into the sensory-motor pathways linking facial mechanoreception to eye movements.
- Highlights the role of vibrissae as a sensory input for modulating gaze.
- Contributes to the understanding of neural processing in the "encéphale isolé" model.