Routes of entry into the cerebellum of spinocerebellar axons from the lower part of the spinal cord

Summary

Among the newly discovered spinocerebellar cell groups, those at lumbar and more caudal levels of the cat's spinal cord were studied with regard to which of the two cerebellar peduncles, the restiform body or the superior cerebellar peduncle, is used by their axons. Bilateral injections with horseradish peroxidase were made into either of the anterior lobe or the posterior cerebellar termination area for spinocerebellar fibers, following unilateral transections of either the superior cerebellar peduncle or the restiform body, combined with low contralateral transections of the lateral and ventral funiculi. Following transection of the superior cerebellar peduncle, labeled neurons were found ipsilateral to the transection in the column of Clarke and in laminae IV–VI at L 3–L 7. Contralaterally, labeled neurons were found in the ventromedial nucleus and lamina VIII of the ventral horn in the sacro-coccygeal segments and in the medial part of lamina VII at L 6 and more caudal levels. All these neurons were regarded as sending their axons through the restiform body. Following transection of the restiform body, labeled neurons were found in the following areas contralateral to the transection: the dorsolateral nucleus of the L 3–L 6 segments, the lateral part of lamina VII at L 3–L 5/6, the medial part of lamina VII in L 6 and more caudal segments, and the ventrolateral nucleus of L 4–L 5. Ipsilaterally, labeled neurons were found in lamina VIII at L 4–L 6. All these neurons were regarded as sending their axons through the superior cerebellar peduncle. In addition to new information about the peduncular routes of spinocerebellar neurons, the study has given confirming evidence as to the crossing conditions for different spinocerebellar cell groups. The findings should be useful in future studies on the organization of the spinocerebellar systems.