The influence of middle ear pressure on the lateral vestibulospinal tract neurons in cats.

The influence of changes in middle ear pressure on the lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST) neurons was investigated in anesthetized cats. The activities of some LVST neurons increased with negative pressure and decreased with positive pressure. This tendency was stronger when pressure changes were applied to the contralateral middle ear than to the ipsilateral side. The influence of changes in middle ear pressure on LVST neurons was opposite to that on the vestibular nerve, suggesting the existence of inhibitory inter- and commissural neurons.