Effect of uvulonodular lesion on spontaneous discharge activities in the vestibular nucleus of rats

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the contribution of cerebellar inputs to the spontaneous discharge properties of central otolith neurons in adult rats. Methods: Uvulonodular lobe of cerebellum was lesioned by surgical aspiration to observe the changes of spontaneous discharge activity of central otolith neurons. Results: After uvulonodular lesion, the ratio of regular discharge neurons increased, C neurons exhibited both regular and irregular discharge pattern while a few I neurons showed regular discharge patterns. Meanwhile, the mean spontaneous discharge rates of all kinds of neurons were increased or decreased and the differences were significant as compared with those of control groups(t = 2.1549-5.0444, P < 0.05-0.001). Conclusion: The spontaneous discharge activities of central otolith neurons were affected significantly after uvulonodular lesion. These findings suggest that under normal physiology condition, the spontaneous discharge activities of central otolith neurons which have functional characteristics are regulated by the uvulonodular cerebellum.