Location of Thalamic Neurons Mediating Vestibulo-Cortical Pathways in Cats

This study was aimed at examining vestibulo-thalamo-cortical pathways in anesthetized cats. Thirty-six neurons, which were activated by pitch rotation and contralateral labyrinth stimulation, were recorded in the following areas: the ventral posterolateral nucleus, the ventral posteromedial nucleus, the lateroposterior nucleus and the magnocellular nucleus of the medial geniculate body (MGmc) of the thalamus. Thirteen of these neurons were antidromically activated from the anterior suprasylvian sulcus or postcruciate dimple of the cortex. These results suggest that the ventrobasal complex and MGmc convey inputs from the vestibular apparatus to the vestibular cortex in cats.