Spinocerebellar projections to lobules III to V of the anterior lobe in the cat, as studied by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase.

Abstract

Spinocerebellar tract (SCT) neurons projecting to lobules III to V of the cerebellar anterior lobe were identified by the retrograde horseradish peroxidase technique. SCT neurons projecting to lobule III with crossed ascending axons were located mainly in the central cervical nucleus (CCN), the medial part of lamina VII of L6 to the caudal segments, and the dorsal horn (lamina V) and ventral horn (lamina VIII) of the sacral-caudal segments. Spinal border cells with crossed ascending axons also projected to lobule III. SCT neurons projecting to this lobule with uncrossed ascending axons were located in the medial part of lamina VI of the cervical segments and the middle part of lamina VII of C6 to T1, lamina V of the lower cervical, thoracic and the lumbar segments, Clarke's column including marginal neurons, and the medial part of lamina VI of L5 and L6. These neuronal groups also projected to lobule IV, except for those present caudal to L6 (in the medial part of lamina VII, and laminae V and VIII of the sacral-caudal segments). A far smaller number of similar neurons projected to lobule V. Injections of HRP restricted to the vermal region labeled mainly neurons in the CCN and Clarke's column while restricted injections to the intermediate-lateral regions labeled ipsilaterally spinal border cells, lamina V neurons, and Clarke column neurons, especially of the lumbar segments as well as marginal neurons of this column.