Development of neural correlates of linear motion in the rat vestibular nucleus.

The capability of the central vestibular system in utilizing cues arising from the inner ear determines the ability of animals to acquire the sense of head orientations in the three-dimensional space and to shape postural movements. During development, neurons in the vestibular nucleus (VN) show significant changes in their electrophysiological properties. An age-dependent enhancement of membrane excitability is accompanied by a progressive increase in firing rate and discharge regularity.