[Experimental study of a rostro-caudal systemization in the inferior olivary complex].

Injection of 3-acetylpyridine at a LD50 dose to albino rats produces in a few days the destruction of olivary neurons. But the caudal part of the olivary complex, particularly accessory olives, escapes the destruction by this antimetabolite of nicotinamide. Nicotinamide protects olives agains 3-acetylpyridine. However, a preliminary histoenzymological study of dehydrogenases demanding a coenzyme derived from nicotinamide has given no significant results. The authors invoke the necessity of a rostro-caudal systematization of the olivary complex, based on fine structure, connnections and metabolism of neurons.