Firing Patterns of Rat Vestibulospinal Neurons during Quadrupedal Standing on a Pitching Platform

Abstract

The neuronal activity of vestibulospinal neurons projecting to the lumbar enlargement was recorded in conscious rats standing with four limbs on a pitching platform. The neurons were classified into 3 groups: up-neurons firing maximally in the head-up phase (2/8), down-neurons with maximal firing in the head-down phase (2/8), and nonmodulated neurons (4/8). The 3 groups may play differential roles in stance control.