Anatomical segregation of different adaptive processes within the vestibulocerebellum of the cat

Bilateral surgical lesions of the flocculus or the nodulo-uvular lobes were performed in the cat. Effects of these lesions on optokinetic and optokinetic afternystagmus OKAN), vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), visual suppression, and adaptation and habituation of VOR were studied using an identical experimental protocol. After flocculectomy, all these functions were impaired, except for habituation. Long-term postoperative recordings only revealed a recovery of the suppression of VOR, suggesting a limited contribution of the flocculus to this function. After nodulo-uvulectomy, only habituation and OKAN were modified. When the lesion was restricted to part of the uvula, OKAN duration was decreased. For other lesions involving the uvula together with the nodulus and/or the lobules VII-VIII,OKAN duration was increased. Habituation was lost after destruction of the nodulo-uvular lobes. When this latter structure was damaged, the retention component of habituation was selectively impaired, sparing the acquisition. Additional lesions outside the vestibulocerebellum appeared necessary to suppress the two components. Comparison of results obtained after flocculectomy and after nodulouvulectomy confirms and extends to non-primate species the concept of a "differential control" of adaptation and habituation by distinct vestibulocerebellar structures.