Effects of bicuculline application on the somatosensory responses of secondary vestibular neurons.

•GABA A antagonist application modifies secondary vestibular neurons resting and somatosensory-evoked activity.•Units showing an increased resting discharge can either increase or decrease their somatosensory responsiveness.•In about a third of the neurons, the responsiveness changes without modifications in resting discharge.•Occasionally, depression in basal activity and responsiveness can be observed in the same unit.•It is possible that forepaw rotation modulates GABA release at the level of secondary vestibular neurons.