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Cervical reflex induced by click stimuli in cats
Yoshio Masaki1, Kaori Ogasawara, Hiroshi Yoshikawa
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Juntendo Izu-Nagaoka Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan. wbs95368@mail.wbs.ne.jp
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|October 31, 2002
Summary
Click-evoked potentials in cat spinal cords reveal responses from the spinal accessory nerve. These findings correlate with human vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials, suggesting a shared neural pathway.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Spinal Cord Research
Background:
- Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) are well-established.
- Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are recorded in humans using surface electrodes.
- The neural pathways underlying VEMPs require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate click-evoked potentials in the feline anterior horn of the spinal cord.
- To determine the origin and characteristics of these spinal potentials.
- To compare these findings with human VEMPs.
Main Methods:
- Electrode insertion into the C3-C6 anterior horn of the spinal cord in 17 cats.
- Recording potentials evoked by 105 dB SPL clicks.
- Stimulation frequency variation (1-20 Hz) and medial vestibulospinal tract destruction.
Main Results:
- Click-evoked potentials recorded at C3 level with peak latency of 4.89-5.10 ms.
- Responses occurred 45-60 dB SPL above ABR threshold and were ipsilateral.
- Potentials disappeared after medial vestibulospinal tract destruction, while ABRs remained.
- Amplitude decreased with increasing stimulus frequency.
Conclusions:
- The recorded click-evoked potentials originate from the spinal nucleus of the accessory nerves via the vestibulospinal tract.
- These spinal potentials share characteristics with human VEMPs recorded over the sternocleidomastoid muscles.
- This study provides insights into the neural basis of VEMPs and their spinal pathways.