Plane-specific Purkinje cell responses to vertical head rotations in the cat cerebellar nodulus and uvula

• DOI: 10.1152/jn.00029.2014
• Publication Date: 2014-05-08T03:14:00Z
• Authors: Toshihiro Kitama; Junya Komagata; Kenichi Ozawa; Yutaka Suzuki; Yu Sato
• Keywords: Flocculus; Horizontal plane

We recorded simple spike (SS) and complex (CS) firing of Purkinje cell in the cerebellar nodulus uvula awake, head-restrained cats during sinusoidal vertical rotation head four stimulus planes (pitch, roll, two canal planes). Two SS response types (position- velocity-types) with phases close to those position velocity, respectively, were recognized. Optimal directions for CS each estimated from amplitudes by fitting a function. The principal findings are as follows: (1) rostrocaudally oriented functional zones cells can be distinguished; (2) medially located parasagittal band is active pitch plane; (3) laterally roll plane. These same previously reported flocculus point that both sagittal plane-specific zones, suggesting anatomical serve at least vestibulocerebellum.