The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and Uvula
The Nodulus and Uvula (NU) (lobules X and IX of the cerebellar vermis) form a prominent center of vestibular information processing. Over decades, fundamental and clinical research on the NU has uncovered many aspects of its function. Those include the resolution of a sensory ambiguity inherent to i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2022.886284/full |
| _version_ | 1828232080570449920 |
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| author | Jean Laurens |
| author_facet | Jean Laurens |
| author_sort | Jean Laurens |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Nodulus and Uvula (NU) (lobules X and IX of the cerebellar vermis) form a prominent center of vestibular information processing. Over decades, fundamental and clinical research on the NU has uncovered many aspects of its function. Those include the resolution of a sensory ambiguity inherent to inertial sensors in the inner ear, the otolith organs; the use of gravity signals to sense head rotations; and the differential processing of self-generated and externally imposed head motion. Here, I review these works in the context of a theoretical framework of information processing called the internal model hypothesis. I propose that the NU implements a forward internal model to predict the activation of the otoliths, and outputs sensory predictions errors to correct internal estimates of self-motion or to drive learning. I show that a Kalman filter based on this framework accounts for various functions of the NU, neurophysiological findings, as well as the clinical consequences of NU lesions. This highlights the role of the NU in processing information from the otoliths and supports its denomination as the “otolith” vermis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:15:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6c1cbec54db44a9b8205eb34e1b09d6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5137 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:15:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6c1cbec54db44a9b8205eb34e1b09d62022-12-22T03:19:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience1662-51372022-09-011610.3389/fnsys.2022.886284886284The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and UvulaJean LaurensThe Nodulus and Uvula (NU) (lobules X and IX of the cerebellar vermis) form a prominent center of vestibular information processing. Over decades, fundamental and clinical research on the NU has uncovered many aspects of its function. Those include the resolution of a sensory ambiguity inherent to inertial sensors in the inner ear, the otolith organs; the use of gravity signals to sense head rotations; and the differential processing of self-generated and externally imposed head motion. Here, I review these works in the context of a theoretical framework of information processing called the internal model hypothesis. I propose that the NU implements a forward internal model to predict the activation of the otoliths, and outputs sensory predictions errors to correct internal estimates of self-motion or to drive learning. I show that a Kalman filter based on this framework accounts for various functions of the NU, neurophysiological findings, as well as the clinical consequences of NU lesions. This highlights the role of the NU in processing information from the otoliths and supports its denomination as the “otolith” vermis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2022.886284/fullcerebellumvestibularKalman filtergravityinternal model |
| spellingShingle | Jean Laurens The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and Uvula Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience cerebellum vestibular Kalman filter gravity internal model |
| title | The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and Uvula |
| title_full | The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and Uvula |
| title_fullStr | The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and Uvula |
| title_full_unstemmed | The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and Uvula |
| title_short | The otolith vermis: A systems neuroscience theory of the Nodulus and Uvula |
| title_sort | otolith vermis a systems neuroscience theory of the nodulus and uvula |
| topic | cerebellum vestibular Kalman filter gravity internal model |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2022.886284/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeanlaurens theotolithvermisasystemsneurosciencetheoryofthenodulusanduvula AT jeanlaurens otolithvermisasystemsneurosciencetheoryofthenodulusanduvula |