Vestibular blueprint in early vertebrates

Straka, Hans and Baker, Robert (November 2013): Vestibular blueprint in early vertebrates. In: Frontiers in Neural Circuits, Vol. 7, 182

Abstract

Central Vestibular neurons form identifiable subgroups within the boundaries of classically outlined octavolateral nuclei in primitive vertebrates that are distinct from those processing lateral line, electrosensory, and auditory signals. Each vestibular subgroup exhibits a particular morpho-physiological property that receives origin-specific sensory inputs from semicircular canal and otolith organs. Behaviorally characterized phenotypes send discrete axonal projections to extraocular, spinal, and cerebellar targets including other ipsi- and contralateral vestibular nuclei. The anatomical locations of vestibuloocular and vestibulospinal neurons correlate with genetically defined hindbrain compartments that are well conserved throughout vertebrate evolution though some variability exists in fossil and extant vertebrate species. The different vestibular subgroups exhibit a roubust sensorimotor signal processing complemented with a high degree of vestibular and visual adaptive plasticity.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Keywords: semicircular canal; otolith; eye movements; extraocular motoneurons; goldfish; hindbrain segment; vestibuloocular; vestibulospinal
• Faculties: Biology > Department Biology II > Neurobiology
• Subjects: 500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
• ISSN: 1662-5110
• Language: English