ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Deiters' Cells
;
Cerebellum
;
Somatic Inputs
;
Vestibular
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The influence of the cerebellum on the activity of Deiters' cells has been studied by comparing the extracellularly recorded activity of single cells in decerebellate cats and in those with an intact cerebellum. The tonic inhibitory influence of the cerebellum is reflected in three ways: a smaller proportion of those cells projecting to the spinal cord is spontaneously active; fewer cells are found which do not project to the spinal cord, indicating that activity in this population of cells is depressed; among those cells that are spontaneously active, the rates of discharge are lower. In the decerebellate cat, stimulation of either ipsior contralateral limb nerves facilitates many cells, whereas in the presence of the cerebellum, peripheral stimulation evokes facilitation followed by inhibition. The inhibition is ascribed to activation by peripheral stimulation of Purkinje cells projecting to Deiters' nucleus from the cerebellum. The thresholds for facilitation and inhibition are similar but longer stimulus trains are required to evoke inhibition. Inputs from many different nerves converge upon the same cell. Among the nerves to muscles, quadriceps was the only nerve effective at stimulus strengths below the group III range. Three populations of cells are found in Deiters' nucleus: cells receiving somatic inputs but not labyrinthine inputs; cells receiving inputs from both the labyrinth and ascending somatic systems; cells activated from the labyrinth but free of somatic influences.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00234247
Permalink
