Vestibular Responses of Rostral Fastigial Neurons

描述(申请人提供)：准确的空间定位意识是由来自多个来源和不同坐标系的感觉信号复杂的多维相互作用产生的，是保持姿势和持续的自愿活动的基础。来自耳石、半规管和肌肉本体感受器的信号是中枢神经系统执行对身体姿势和运动的反射控制所需的这种感觉线索的例子。小脑深层核团是前庭和本体感觉系统信号汇聚的已知部位。该项目的目的有三个：(1)结合3D旋转和平移研究前庭顶核(RFN)中仅前庭神经元的前庭会聚模式；(2)研究一些rFN神经元是否选择性地编码平移，而忽略与重力有关的头部方向的变化。这个项目的目的是使用平移和倾斜运动刺激的组合方案来定量检验这一假说。(3)研究平移运动编码的坐标系。具体地说，我们假设存在在身体坐标中编码平移运动的rFN神经元。使用前庭刺激和单个单位电生理学的各种组合，将检查许多关系。这些结果对我们更好地理解小脑深部核团的功能作用以及耳石/耳道会聚在中央前庭系统中的意义有重要意义。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Accurate awareness of spatial orientation, which results from complex multidimensional interactions of sensory signals originating from multiple sources and different coordinate systems, is fundamental in maintaining posture as well as ongoing voluntary activities. Signals originating from otolith, semicircular canal, and muscle proprioceptive receptors are examples of such sensory cues required by the CNS to execute reflex control of body posture and movement. The deep cerebellar nuclei are some of the known sites of signal convergence from vestibular and proprioceptive systems. The aims of the proposed project are threefold: (1) To investigate vestibular convergence patterns in the rostral fastigial nucleus (rFN) vestibular only neurons using combinations of 3D rotations and translations (2) To investigate if some of the rFN neurons selectively encode translations and ignore changes in head orientations in relation to gravity. This project aims to quantitatively test this hypothesis using protocols with combinations of translational and tilt motion stimuli. (3) To investigate the coordinate system of encoding translational motion. Specifically, we have hypothesized that there exist rFN neurons that encode translational motion in body coordinates. Using a variety of combinations of vestibular stimulations and single unit electrophysiology, numerous relationships will be examined. The results are important in improving our understanding of the functional role of the deep cerebellar nuclei and of the significance of otolith/canal convergence in the central vestibular system.