Inhibition of central vestibular neurons from the contralateral labyrinth and its mediating pathway.

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Abstract
Field potentials and single neuronal discharges in the vestibular nuclei were recorded with microelectrode technique in the decerebrate, unanesthetized cats. Each vestibular neuron was identified by its responses to horizontal angular accelerations. Single shock of the vestibular nerve induced positive-negative field potentials in the ventro-medial part of the contralateral vestibular nuclei. The latency of the positive summit was 2.5 msec. This potential was abolished after incising the dorsal part of the brain stem along the midline. Type H neurons were excited by stimulation of the contralateral vestibular nerve, the shortest latency being 3.2 msec. Type I neurons were inhibited by weak stimulation of the contralateral vestibular nerve with a latency of 4.0 msec. This inhibition was abolished by the above mentioned midline incision of the dorsal brain stem and replaced by excitatory responses with stronger stimulation. It was suggested that some of type II neurons are intercalated inhibitory neurons which are activated through commissural fibers and inhibit ipsilateral type I neurons.