MODIFICATION OF VESTIBULAR SENSITIVITY IN THE RAT,
Abstract
A study was made to determine the effects of vestibular damage or previous vestibular stimulation on the spontaneous activity of the rat during rotation. Unilateral destruction of the labyrinth through intratympanic injections of streptomycin sulfate decreased the sensitivity of unrestrained rats to rotation, as measured by the maintenance of high levels of spontaneous locomotor activity during rotation. Repeated exposure to rotation produced a similar threshold shift in undamaged rats. Normal control animals showed a marked decrement in activity while rotated. Rats were extremely resistant to streptomycin sulfate injected systemically; neither morphological damage to hair cells nor changes in the response to vestibular stimulation was found following a total dosage of 10,000 mg of the drug. The findings demonstrated that the spontaneous activity levels provide a sensitive behavioral measure of the effects of vestibular stimulation on the rat. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 17, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0628291
Entities
People
- Arnold Eskin
- David C. Riccio
- Makoto Igarashi
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Institute