Computer Simulation of Vestibuloocular Reflex Motor Learning Using a Realistic Cerebellar Cortical Neuronal Network Model

The vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) is under adaptive control to stabilize our vision during head movements. It has been suggested that the acute VOR motor learning requires long-term depression (LTD) and potentiation (LTP) at the parallel fiber – Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellar flocculus. We simulated the VOR motor learning basing upon the LTD and LTP using a realistic cerebellar cortical neuronal network model. In this model, LTD and LTP were induced at the parallel fiber – Purkinje cell synapses by the spike timing dependent plasticity rule, which considers the timing of the spike occurrence in the climbing fiber and the parallel fibers innervating the same Purkinje cell. The model was successful to reproduce the changes in eye movement and Purkinje cell simple spike firing modulation during VOR in the dark after low and high gain VOR motor learning.