Neuronal responses to eye muscle stretch in cerebellar lobule VI of the cat.

Extraocular proprioceptive input to cerebellar vermis, lobule VI, was investigated in cats under N2O analgesia by recording neuronal responses to eye muscle stretch. Both optic tracts were transected and the periorbital skin and conjunctiva were locally anaesthetized. Eye rotation within the physiological range was achieved by applying a pull of predetermined length and tension to each of the eight musculi recti at their insertion to the globe. Within lobule VI, only small patches of cortex receive stretch receptor afferents. The information made available by these afferents corresponds to a change of eye position. Minimal responses were dependent upon angular deflections of a few degrees. Maximal response amplitudes were obtained within the physiological range of angular deflections and angular velocities for the units tested. Most cells responded to stretch of more than one muscle. Three types of convergence were found: 1) neurons responding according to a certain direction of a conjugated movement of both eyes, 2) neurons responding to movements in either direction of one plane, 3) more complicated response patterns.