Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characteristics of the output from the dentate nucleus to spinal neurons via pathways which do not involve the primary sensorimotor cortex

  • Published:
Experimental Brain Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Experiments were performed to determine the action of the dentate output on neurons in the spinal cord mediated by pathways which do not involve the primary sensorimotor and premotor cortices. The dentate nucleus was electrically stimulated by stereotaxically placed electrodes in Rhesus monkeys whose contralateral sensorimotor and premotor cortices were ablated. The resultant changes in excitability of lumbar alpha motoneurons activated by Ia afferents from nerves innervating femoral, hamstring, gastrocnemius-soleus and peroneal muscles were measured by intracellular recordings and by determining the percent change in the amplitude of the monosynaptic reflex recorded from ventral roots. The effect of stimulation of the dentate nucleus on proprioceptive reflexes was determined by recording the changes in postsynaptic potentials evoked by selective stimulation of Ia and Ib afferent fibers. The results demonstrated that the dentate nucleus exerts a significant action on the excitability of spinal neurons via pathways which do not include the sensorimotor and premotor cortices. Whether the dentate stimulus produced an increase or decrease in the excitability of these neurons was dependent upon the site within the dentate nucleus at which the stimulus was applied, demonstrating that, in the decorticate preparation, the output from this nucleus is quite heterogeneous. In addition, stimulation of the dentate nucleus in these monkeys did not affect the Ia reflex pathway but significantly changed the amplitude of the inhibitory postsynaptic potential evoked by Ib afferents in lumbar alpha motoneurons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, G.I., Tsukahara, N.: Cerebrocerebellar communication systems. Physiol. Rev. 54, 957–1006 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Angaut, P.: The ascending projections of the nucleus interpositus posterior of the cat cerebellum: an experimental anatomical study using silver impregnation methods. Brain Res. 24, 377–394 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Angaut, P.: Bases anatomo-fonctionelles des interrelations cérébello-cérébrales. J. Physiol. (Paris) 67, 53A-116A (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ariens-Kappers, C.U., Huber, G.C., Crosby, E.C.: The Comparative Anatomy of the Nervous System of Vertebrates, Including Man. New York: The MacMillan Company 1936

    Google Scholar 

  • Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: The action of the dentate nucleus on the excitability of spinal motoneurons via pathways which do not involve the primary sensorimotor cortex. Brain Res. 88, 86–90 (1975a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: Monosynaptic activation of a direct reticulo-spinal pathway by the dentate nucleus. Pflügens Arch. 357, 237–242 (1975b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: Interactions between the dentate nucleus and the spinal cord via infratentorial nuclei. To be published in the Symposium of the International Meeting of Neurobiologists 1975c

  • Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: Interactions between neocerebellar and ascending somatosensory pathways. To be published in the Proceedings of the International Pain Symposium 1975d

  • Bava, A., Manzoni, T., Urbano, A.: Cerebellar influences on neuronal elements of thalamic somatosensory relay-nuclei. Arch. Sci. biol. (Bologna) 50, 181–204 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bava, A., Cicirata, F., Maricchiolo, M.: Cortical projections and transcommissural reactivity of neurons sampled from the thalamic relay-nucleus of the cerebello-cortical pathway (VL). EEG J. 35, 435 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloedel, J.R.: Cerebellar afferent systems: A review. Progr. in Neurobiol. Vol. II., Part 1. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Botterell, E.H., Fulton, J.F.: Functional localization in the cerebellum of primates. III. Lesions of hemispheres (neocerebellum). J. comp. Neurol. 69, 63–67 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brookhart, J.M.: The cerebellum. In: Handbook of Physiology, Section 1, Neurophysiology, Vol. II. (ed. J. Field et al.). Chapt. 51, pp. 1245–1280. Washington: Amer. Physiol. Soc. 1960

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, V.B., Adrien, J., Dykes, R.W.: Task-related discharge of neurons in motor cortex and effect of dentate cooling. Brain Res. 40, 85–88 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, V.B., Kozlovskaya, I.B., Atkin, A., Horvath, F.E., Uno, M.: Effects of cooling dentate nucleus on tracking-task performance in monkeys. J. Neurophysiol. 36, 974–995 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, V.B., Stoney, S.D., Jr.: Motor mechanisms: The role of the pyramidal system in motor control. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 33, 337–392 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucy, P.C.: The Precentral Motor Cortex. 615 pp. Urbana: University of Illinois Press 1949

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke, R.E.: Group Ia synaptic input to fast and slow twitch motor units of cats triceps surae. J. Physiol (Lond.) 196, 605–630 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, M.B.: A study of the red nucleus in the rhesus monkey. J. Comp. Neurol. 105, 195–249 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, M.B., Stevens, G.H.: Structural and functional relationships between the deep cerebellar nuclei and brachium conjunctivum in the rhesus monkey. J. comp. Neurol. 107, 109–163 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrea, R.M.E., Mettler, F.A.: Function of the primate brachium conjunctivum and associated structures. J. comp. Neurol. 101, 565–689 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrea, R.M.E., Mettler, F.A.: Function of the primate brachium conjunctivum and related structures. J. comp. Neurol. 102, 151–322 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, D., Chambers, W.W., Sprague, J.M.: Experimental study of the efferent projections from the cerebellar nuclei to the brainstem of the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 109, 233–259 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Conde, H., Angaut, P.: An electrophysiological study of the cerebellar projections to the nucleus ventralis lateralis thalami in the cat. II. Nucleus lateralis. Brain Res. 20, 107–119 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Coppin, C.M.L., Jack, J.J.B., McIntyre, A.K.: Properties of group I afferent fibers from semitendinosis muscle in the cat. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 203, 45–46p (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosby, E.C., Humphrey, T., Lauer, E.W.: Correlative Anatomy of the Nervous System. 731 pp. New York: MacMillan Company1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosby, E.C., Schneider, R.C., DeJonge, B.R., Szonyi, P.: The alterations of tonus and movements through the interplay between the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum. J. comp. Neurol. 127, Suppl. 1, Part II, 1–91 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosby, E.C., Woodburne, R.T.: The nuclear pattern of the non-tectal portions of the midbrain and isthmus in primates. J. comp. Neurol. 78, 441–482 (1943)

    Google Scholar 

  • Denny-Brown, D.: The Cerebral Control of Movement. Springfield: C. C. Thomas 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Dow, R.S., Moruzzi, G.: The Physiology and Pathology of the Cerebellum. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press 1958

    Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J.C., Eccles, R.M., Lundberg, A.: Synaptic actions on motoneurons in relation to the two components of the group I muscle afferent volley. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 136, 527–546 (1957a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J.C., Eccles, R.M., Lundberg, A.: Synaptic actions on motoneurons caused by impulses in Golgi tendon organ afferents. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 138, 227–252 (1957b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Evarts, E.V., Thach, W.T.: Motor mechanisms of the CNS: cerebro-cerebellar interrelations. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 31, 451–498 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Flumerfelt, B.A., Otabe, S., Courville, J.: Distinct projections to the red nucleus from the dentate and interposed nuclei in the monkey. Brain Res. 50, 408–414 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilman, S.: A mechanism underlying cerebellar hypotonia. Trans. Amer. neurol. Ass. 93, 213–215 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilman, S.: The mechanism of cerebellar hypotonia. An experimental study in the monkey. Brain 92, 621–638 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilman, S.: A cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway controlling fusimotor activity. In: Control of Posture and Locomotion, (ed. R.B. Stein et al.), pp. 309–329. New York: Plenum Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilman, S., McDonald, W.I.: Cerebellar facilitation of muscle spindle activity. J. Neurophysiol. 30, 1492–1512 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Graybiel, A.M., Nauta, H.J.W., Lasek, R.J.M., Nauta, W.J.H.: A cerebello-olivary pathway in the cat. An experimental study using autoradiographic tracing techniques. Brain Res. 58, 205–211 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Growdon, J.H., Chambers, H.W., Liu, C.N.: An experimental study of cerebellar dyskinesia in the Rhesus monkey. Brain 90, 603–632 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare, W.K., Magoun, H.W., Ranson, S.W.: Localization within the cerebellum of reactions to faradic cerebellar stimulation. J. comp. Neurol. 67, 145–181 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henneman, E., Somjen, G., Carpenter, D.D.: Functional significance of cell size in spinal motoneurons. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 560–580 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, D.C., Partridge, L.D., Glaser, G.H.: A transient cerebellar influence on stretch responses. J. Neurophysiol. 25, 684–691 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, G.: The cerebellum of man. Brain 62, 1–30 (1939)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hongo, T., Jankowska, E.: Effects from the sensorimotor cortex on the spinal cord in cats with transected pyramids. Exp. Brain Res. 3, 117–134 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Houk, T., Henneman, E.: Responses of Golgi tendon organs to active contractions of the soleus muscle of the cat. J. Neurophysiol. 30, 466–481 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Iosif, G., Pompeiano, D., Strata, P., Thoden, U.: The effect of stimulation of spindle receptors and Golgi tendon organs on the cerebellar anterior lobe. II. Responses of Purkinje cells to sinusoidal stretch or contraction of hindlimb extensor muscles. Arch. ital. Biol. 110, 476–501 (1972a)

    Google Scholar 

  • losif, G., Pompeiano, D., Strata, P., Thoden, U.: The effect of stimulation of spindle receptors and Golgi tendon organs on the cerebellar anterior lobe. I. Field potentials induced by sinusoidal stretch or contraction of hindlimb extensor muscles. Arch. ital. Biol. 110, 502–542 (1972b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jack, J.J.B., MacLennan, C.R.: The lack of an electrical threshold discrimination between group Ia and Ib fibers in the nerve of the cat peroneus longus muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 212, 35–36P (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jung, R., Hassler, R.: The extrapyramidal motor system. In: Handbook of Physiology. Section I.: Neurophysiology, Vol. II. (ed. J. Field et al), pp. 863–927. Washington: Amer. Physiol. Soc. 1960

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozlovskaya, I., Horvath, F., Atkin, A., Brooks, V.B.: Effect of dentate cooling on motoneuron performance during afferent deprivation. Physiologist 13, 244 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • LaPresle, J., Hamida, M.B.: The dentato-olivary pathways. Somatotopic relationship between the dentate nucleus and the contralateral inferior olive. Arch. Neurol. (Chic.) 22, 135–143 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, M.E., Willis, W.D.: Identification of muscle afferents which activate interneurons in the intermediate nucleus. J. Neurophysiol. 37, 282–293 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mabuchi, M., Kusama, T.: The cortico-rubral projection in the cat. Brain Res. 2, 254–273 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massion, J.: The mammalian red nucleus. Physiol. Rev. 47, 383–436 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massion, J.: Intervention des voies cérébello-corticales et cortico-cérébelleuses dans l'organisation et Ia regulation du mouvement. J. Physiol. (Paris) 67, 117A-170A (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massion, J., Croize, B.: Tonic facilitatory action of the cerebellum on the ventrolateral nucleus. In: The Cerebellum in Health and Disease, (ed. W.S. Fields and W.O. Willis), pp. 332–338. St.Louis: Warren H. Green 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsushita, M., Ikeda, M.: Spinal projections to the cerebellar nuclei in the cat. Exp. Brain Res. 10, 501–511 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehler, W.R., Vernier, V.G., Nauta, W.J.H.: Efferent projections from dentate and interpositus nuclei in primates. Anat. Rec. 130, 430–431 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R.A., Stromnger, M.L.: Efferent connections of the red nucleus in the brainstem and spinal cord in the Rhesus monkey. J. comp. Neurol. 152, 327–345 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Muir, R.B., Porter, R.: The effect of a preceding stimulus on temporal facilitation at corticomotoneuronal synapses. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 228, 749–763 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Orioli, F.L., Mettler, F.A.: The rubro-spinal tract in Macaca mulatta. J. comp. Neurol. 106, 299–318 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Poirier, L.J., Bouvier, G.: The red nucleus and its efferent nervous pathway in the monkey. J. comp. Neurol. 128, 223–243 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rand, R.W.: An anatomical and experimental study of the cerebellar nuclei and their efferent pathways in the monkey. J. comp. Neurol. 101, 167–223 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rispal-Padel, L., Latreille, J.: The organization of projections from the cerebellar nuclei to the contralateral motor cortex in the cat. Exp. Brain Res. 19, 36–60 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rispal-Padel, L., Massion J., Grangetto, A.: Relations between the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus and motor cortex and their possible role in the central organization of motor control. Brain Res. 60, 1–20 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki, K., Matsuda, Y., Kawaguchi, S., Mizuno, N.: On the cerebello-thalamo cerebral pathway for the parietal cortex. Exp. Brain Res. 16, 89–103 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoolman, A., Delgado, M.R.: Cerebro-cerebellar relations in the awake cat. J. Neurophysiol. 21, 1–16 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, W., Montgomery, E., Marini, B.: Stereotyped flexion of forelimb and hindlimb to microstimulation of dentate nucleus in primates. (Submitted for publication)

  • Shapavalov, A.I., Karamjan, O.A., Tamarova, Z.A., Kurchavyi, G.G.: Cerebello-rubrospinal effects on hindlimb motoneurons in the monkey. Brain Res. 47, 49–60 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Snider, R.S., Mitra, J.: Cerebellar influences on units in sensory areas of cerebral cortex. In: Cerebellum in Health and Disease, (ed. W.S. Fields and W.D. Willis), pp. 319–331. St. Louis: Warren H. Green 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, K.: Note on the nucleus ruber magno-cellularis and its efferent pathway in man. Brain 61, 284–289 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Terzuolo, C.A., Soechting, J.F., Viviani, P.: Studies on the control of some simple motor tasks. I. Relations between parameters of movement and EMG activities. Brain Res. 58, 212–216 (1973a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Terzuolo, C.A., Soechting, J.F., Viviani, P.: Studies on the control of some simple motor tasks. II. On the cerebellar control of movements in relation to the formulation of intentional commands. Brain Res. 58, 217–222 (1973b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thach, W.T.: Cerebellar output: properties, synthesis and uses. Brain Res. 40, 89–97 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert, D.L., Young, P.A., Massopust, L.C. Jr., Murphy, M.G.: Termination of cerebellar afferents in the rostral ventral thalamic nuclei of the cat. Anat. Rec. 181, 493 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Uemura, K., Preston, J.B.: Comparison of motor cortex influences upon various hindlimb motoneurons in pyramidal cats and primates. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 398–412 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Verhaart, W.J. C.: The rubrospinal system in monkeys and in man. Folia psychiat. neerl. 42, 335–342 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Neurosurgery and Physiology, University of Minnesota, B - 590 Mayo Memorial Building, 55455, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    H. Bantli & J. R. Bloedel

Authors
  1. H. Bantli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. R. Bloedel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R. Characteristics of the output from the dentate nucleus to spinal neurons via pathways which do not involve the primary sensorimotor cortex. Exp Brain Res 25, 199–220 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234903

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234903

Key words

Search

Navigation