Short latency vestibular evoked response to acceleration stimuli recorded by skin electrodes

Short latency vestibular evoked response to repetitive acceleration stimuli were recorded by skin electrodes in cats, using electronic filtering and averaging techniques. The evoked response is composed of six to eight waves during the first 10 ms after the stimulus. These are followed by longer latency responses which are myogenic in nature. All of these waves disappear with the animal's death and after excision of both eighth nerves. In recordings from the animal after excision of the eighth nerve on one side, the response patterns of excitation versus inhibition are demonstrated using excitatory and inhibitory acceleration stimuli. The possible generators of the evoked response are discussed in the light of the physiology of the vestibular pathways.