Termination and functional organization of the dorsal spino-olivocerebellar path.

Abstract

1. The spino-olivocerebellar path ascending through the dorsal funiculus (DF-SOCP) was investigated in decerebrate cats with the cord transected in the third cervical segment except for the dorsal funiculi. The climbing fibre responses evoked in Purkinje cells were studied by recording the mass activity at the cerebellar surface and by recording from single cells.2. The DF-SOCP forms a disynaptic path from the spinal cord to the cerebellar cortex as shown by latency measurements. Anatomical studies have recently demonstrated that the relays are in the rostral part of the dorsal funiculus nuclei and in the dorsal accessory olive.3. The DF-SOCP projects to sagittal zones in the pars intermedia and vermis of the anterior lobe. The somatotopical organization is predominantly transverse in the pars intermedia and predominantly longitudinal in the vermis.4. The olivary neurones in the DF-SOCP are activated by the flexor reflex afferents from wide receptive fields. The fields are restricted to one ipsilateral limb and the majority of the olivary neurones could be activated from all the nerves tested in this limb.5. Natural stimulation of receptors evoked excitation in about half of the olivary neurones investigated. This excitation was elicited by pressure against deep structures. Inhibitory effects were rarely observed.6. The dorsal and ventral spino-olivocerebellar paths are compared.