Linear vestibular self-motion signals in monkey area MST
F. Bremmer, M. Kubischik, M. Pekel, M. Lappe & K.-P. Hoffmann
Annals of the New York Academy of Science 871:272-281, 1999
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The present study was aimed to investigate the sensitivity of neurons in the medio-superior temporal area (MST) of the macaque monkey to linear vestibular stimulation. Two monkeys were moved on a parallel swing while single unit activity was recorded. About half of the cells (28/51) responded in the dark either to forward motion (n = 10), or to backward motion (n = 11), or to both (n = 7). Twenty cells responding to vestibular stimulation in darkness were also tested for their responses to optic flow stimulation simulating forward and backward self- motion. 45% (9/20) of them preferred the same self-motion directions, i.e. combined visual and vestibular signals in a synergistic manner. 30% (6/20) of the cells were not responsive to visual stimulation alone. The remaining 25% (5/20) preferred directions which were anti-aligned. Our results provide strong evidence that neurons in area MST at least in part are involved in the processing of self-motion.
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