Modifications and development of spinal reflexes in the alert baboon (Papio papio) following an unilateral vestibular neurotomy.

Unilateral vestibular neurotomy performed on 6 baboons was followed by the classical postural and locomotor postoperative disorders. Postoperative spinal reflex excitability was studied in these awake baboons by measuring monosynaptic recruitment ratios in soleus motoneuronal pool and the recovery cycle of the monosynaptic response. Vestibular neurotomy induces: (1) asymmetrical spinal reflexes with a decrease of the recruitment on the side of the section and an increase on the opposite side. (2) a modification of phases IV and V of the ipsilateral recovery cycle. The recovery during postoperative days of normal recruitment curves and recovery cycles is described. This recovery is relatively fast and relates closely to the compensation of postural and locomotor disorders. We note the importance of an early active motor exploration on the time-course of recovery: postoperative disorders in posture and locomotion are reduced much later when baboons are submitted to a motor restriction. These findings suggest a combined alpha and gamma-hypoexcitability of the ipsilateral hindlimb. The study of the recovery process suggests that the cerebellum is involved in the compensatory mechanisms. The regression of postural disorders, observed both in restrained and unrestrained baboons, demonstrates the importance of central regulations using proprioceptive afferents for recovery.