Quantitative Enzymatic Changes in Neurons and Glia of the Lateral Vestibular Nucleus During Central Compensation After Unilateral Vestibular Neurotomy

Abstract

The vestibular nerve was sectioned in porus acusticus internus on the right side in two groups of rabbits. When central compensation was attained, one group was subjected to rotational stimulation for 25 min per day for 7 days. All animals were killed two weeks after operation.

Succinoxidase activity was measured on isolated Deiter's giant nerve cells and glial cells in the lateral vestibular nucleus. Zeuthen's micro-diver technique was used for the activity determinations. In the operated group succinoxidase activity was increased 100 % in both neurons and glia of the affected side while the control side was unchanged. In the operated-and-stimulated group there was an activity increase only in the glial cells of the operated side.