Development of optokinetic responses in vestibular nuclear neurons in the young rat.

Responses of vestibular nuclear neurons (Vn) of the horizontal canal system to optokinetic stimulation could not be elicited before postnatal day 22. Between days 22 and 29 response magnitude gradually increased whereas response phase remained constant. At the end of the first postnatal month the sensitivity of the optokinetic responses was still much less than that measured in adult animals.