Presynaptic impulses in the abducens nucleus and their relation to postsynaptic potentials in motoneurons during vestibular nystagmus.

Abstract

1. Unit spikes of axons projecting to the abducens nucleus and responding to horizontal rotation of the head were recorded within the cat abducens nucleus. Their discharge pattern related to vestibular nystagmus was investigated with reference to PSP changes of abducens motoneurons as monitored by the field potentials in the nucleus. There were four groups of presynaptic axons whose activity was tightly related to motoneuronal PSPs. 2. The first and second groups of axons were activated mono- and disynaptically from the contralateral labyrinth, respectively, and fired in phase with abducens nerve discharges. Their tonic activity during the slow excitatory phase of motoneurons was abruptly suppressed at the onset of positive field potential (motoneuronal hyperpolarization). The disynaptically activated axons exhibited burst-tonic discharges at the quick excitatory phase and steep increases in their discharge frequency were synchronous with the onset of negative field potential (motoneuronal depolarization). 3. The third group was activated monosynaptically from the ipsilateral labyrinth and fired in phase with the silent period of the abducens nerve. Their tonic activity during the slow inhibitory phase of motoneurons was abruptly silenced at the onset of negative field potential. At the quick inhibitory phase they tended to begin firing slightly later than the onset of positive field potential. 4. The fourth group exhibited high frequency burst discharges at the quick inhibitory phase of motoneurons. Steep increases in discharge frequency occurred synchronously with the onset of the positive field potential. These axons were silent during the slow inhibitory phase of motoneurons. 5. The characteristic time course of PSPs in abducens motoneurons during vestibular nystagmus was well explained by synaptic actions of these four groups of presynaptic axon on motoneurons. The origin of each group of axon was discussed in view of their responses to electric stimulation of the vestibular nerve.