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Vestibulospinal reflexes and the reticular formation
1Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021.
Progress in Brain Research
|January 1, 1993
Summary
The pontomedullary reticulospinal tract primarily supports otolith reflexes for vertical head movements. Spatial properties of the vestibulocollic reflex (VCR) arise from neck-based input convergence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vestibulospinal Reflexes
Background:
- Vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts are crucial for vestibulospinal reflexes.
- Reticulospinal fibers are known to contribute to the horizontal vestibulocollic reflex (VCR).
- The specific role of these tracts in the vertical VCR remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of pontomedullary reticulospinal neurons to the vertical vestibulocollic reflex (VCR).
- To understand the processing of spatial properties of the vertical VCR.
Main Methods:
- Studied reflex and vestibulocollic neuron dynamics.
- Recorded from pontomedullary reticulospinal neurons with vestibular input and spinal projections.
Main Results:
- Processing for vertical VCR spatial properties occurs outside vestibular nuclei.
- Pontomedullary reticulospinal neurons rarely receive only vertical canal input; about half receive otolith input.
- These neurons lack properties to fully explain VCR spatial properties.
Conclusions:
- Pontomedullary reticulospinal fibers are best suited for otolith reflexes in vertical plane stimuli.
- Spatial properties of the VCR depend partly on input convergence within the neck.