Single neuron activity related to natural vestibular stimulation in the cat's visual cortex

This study examines the possibility of a vestibular input to the visual cortex using chronically implanted cats subjected to horizontal sinusoidal rotation in the dark. In areas 17 and 18 the activity of respectively 14% and 11% of units was modified by vestibular stimulation. Both non-specific and specific influences were observed. Specific influences (42% in area 17 and 33% in area 18) were similar to the types of responses recorded in the vestibular nuclei, and were encountered more frequently within the cortex subserving the peripheral visual field. Our results could provide a neurophysiological basis for some psychophysiological observations concerning visuo-vestibular interactions.