The projection of the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis and adjacent regions of the pontine nuclei to the central cerebellar nuclei in the cat.

Abstract

The projection of the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis (NRTP) and the pontine nuclei (NP) to the central cerebellar nuclei (CCN) was investigated by means of anterograde transport of tritiated leucine. Although termination was found in all the CCN, it was most pronounced in the lateral nucleus and the lateral aspect of the posterior interposed nucleus. The extreme lateral aspect of the anterior interposed nucleus and the caudal part of the fastigial nucleus received a projection of modest intensity. Termination in the infracerebellar nucleus and group Y is likely to be present but could not be confirmed with certainty from the light microscopical material. The contribution from the NP was small and originated from the dorsolateral and dorsal paramedian subdivisions of the NP. Within the NRTP the total area giving rise to projections to the CCN was extensive, and the origin of the projections to the individual CCN overlapped considerably. The projection of the NRTP to the ventrocaudal part of the lateral nucleus was found in conjunction with a projection to the ventrolateral part of the posterior interposed nucleus. Both projections seemed to branch off the fiber bundle terminating in the ventral paraflocculus. Similar correlations could be established in the projection of the NRTP to the dorsal paraflocculus and crus II of the ansiform lobule with other parts of the lateral and posterior interposed nuclei. It was concluded that the transverse, lobular organization of mossy fibers, which differs fundamentally from the longitudinal, modular organization of climbing fibers, is maintained in the collateral projection to the CCN. The results are further discussed in relation to the corticonuclear projection and the engagement of the NRTP and different parts of the CCN in pontocerebellar circuits.