Lateral reticular nucleus neurons sending their axons to the contralateral inferior cerebellar peduncle. A horseradish peroxidase study in the rat.

Abstract

The lateral reticular nucleus of the medulla oblongata (LRN) in the rat was observed after injecting horseradish peroxidase (HRP) bilaterally into the anterior lobe of the cerebellum; the inferior cerebellar peduncle had been cut unilaterally prior to the HRP injections. HRP-labeled neurons were seen bilaterally in the LRN; 89% in the contralateral, and 11% in the side ipsilateral to the pedunculotomy. The labeled neurons in the LRN ipsilateral to the pedunculotomy were assumed to send their axons to the anterior lobe of the cerebellum via the controlateral inferior cerebellar peduncle. Of these neurons, 60, 11 and 29% were distributed in the magnocellular, subtrigeminal and parvicellular divisions of the LRN, respectively.