Biomaterial Database

Vestibular integrators in the oculomotor system. 1995

K Fukushima, and C R Kaneko

Department of Physiology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Japan.

The interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC) and the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi (nph) are key elements in the vertical and horizontal oculomotor neural integrators, respectively. In this article, we attempt to develop possible circuits for these vestibular integrators by synthesizing recent information on the properties and connections of neurons involved in the integration process. We also examine how the cerebellar flocculus could play a role in the vertical integrator and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) as well as in the modulation and plasticity of the VOR. We suggest that the circuitry for the vertical integrator involves the cerebellar flocculus in addition to the already proposed circuits distributed between the INC and the vestibular nuclei. The horizontal vestibular integrator is also distributed and seems to be characterized by functional compartmentalization. Both integrators play a wider role than simply transforming velocity-coded signals into position commands and may be pivotal in the short- and long-term modulation of the various oculomotor subsystems.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008253	Macaca mulatta	A species of the genus MACACA inhabiting India, China, and other parts of Asia. The species is used extensively in biomedical research and adapts very well to living with humans.	Chinese Rhesus Macaques,Macaca mulatta lasiota,Monkey, Rhesus,Rhesus Monkey,Rhesus Macaque,Chinese Rhesus Macaque,Macaca mulatta lasiotas,Macaque, Rhesus,Rhesus Macaque, Chinese,Rhesus Macaques,Rhesus Macaques, Chinese,Rhesus Monkeys
D008959	Models, Neurological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D009434	Neural Pathways	Neural tracts connecting one part of the nervous system with another.	Neural Interconnections,Interconnection, Neural,Interconnections, Neural,Neural Interconnection,Neural Pathway,Pathway, Neural,Pathways, Neural
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009802	Oculomotor Nerve	The 3d cranial nerve. The oculomotor nerve sends motor fibers to the levator muscles of the eyelid and to the superior rectus, inferior rectus, and inferior oblique muscles of the eye. It also sends parasympathetic efferents (via the ciliary ganglion) to the muscles controlling pupillary constriction and accommodation. The motor fibers originate in the oculomotor nuclei of the midbrain.	Cranial Nerve III,Third Cranial Nerve,Nerve III,Nervus Oculomotorius,Cranial Nerve IIIs,Cranial Nerve, Third,Cranial Nerves, Third,Nerve IIIs,Nerve, Oculomotor,Nerve, Third Cranial,Nerves, Oculomotor,Nerves, Third Cranial,Oculomotor Nerves,Oculomotorius, Nervus,Third Cranial Nerves
D012027	Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular	A reflex wherein impulses are conveyed from the cupulas of the SEMICIRCULAR CANALS and from the OTOLITHIC MEMBRANE of the SACCULE AND UTRICLE via the VESTIBULAR NUCLEI of the BRAIN STEM and the median longitudinal fasciculus to the OCULOMOTOR NERVE nuclei. It functions to maintain a stable retinal image during head rotation by generating appropriate compensatory EYE MOVEMENTS.	Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex,Reflex, Vestibuloocular,Reflexes, Vestibo-Ocular,Reflexes, Vestibuloocular,Reflex, Vestibulo Ocular,Reflexes, Vestibo Ocular,Vestibo-Ocular Reflexes,Vestibulo Ocular Reflex,Vestibuloocular Reflex,Vestibuloocular Reflexes
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D005133	Eye Movements	Voluntary or reflex-controlled movements of the eye.	Eye Movement,Movement, Eye,Movements, Eye
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia