Macaque Parieto-Insular Vestibular Cortex: Responses to Self-Motion and Optic Flow

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4029-09.2010
• Publication Date: 2010-02-24T18:28:22Z
• Authors: Aihua Chen; Gregory C. DeAngelis; Dora E. Angelaki
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology)

The parieto-insular vestibular cortex (PIVC) is thought to contain an important representation of information. Here we describe responses macaque PIVC neurons three-dimensional (3D) and optic flow stimulation. We found robust both translational rotational stimuli in the retroinsular (Ri) adjacent secondary somatosensory (S2) cortices. did not respond stimulation, were similar darkness during visual fixation. Cells upper bank tip lateral sulcus (Ri S2) responded sinusoidal with modulation at first harmonic frequency directionally tuned. lower (mostly Ri) often modulated second showed either bimodal spatial tuning or no all. All directions 3D motion represented PIVC, direction preferences distributed approximately uniformly for translation, but showing a preference roll rotation. Spatiotemporal profiles translation revealed that half cells followed linear velocity profile stimulus, one-quarter carried signals related acceleration (in form two peaks selectivity separated time), few derivative (jerk). In contrast, mainly velocity-coding response Thus, comprises large functional region areas Ri S2, rotation unlikely play significant role visual/vestibular integration self-motion perception.