Vestibular Influence on the Gamma Efferent motor System Observed by Angular Acceleration

Abstract

Vestibular influence on the muscle spindle activity were studied in the decerebrated cats by recording single spindle discharges of the ankle flexors and extensors of both sides. Both cupulometric and constant angular acceleration were applied as vestibular stimulation.

1. Two different types of vestibular influence were observed in frequency of spindle discharge of the limb muscle. One was non-reciprocal facilitatory and the other was reciprocal. These responses were the same as that observed by oscillatory rotation which was reported in the preceding paper.

2. the reciprocal type response was predominant to non-reciprocal facilitatory one, especially in decerebrated cat.

3. Mechanism of vestibular control of muscle tone was discussed.