Afferent fiber connections from the raphe nuclei to the cerebellar paramedian lobule. A histochemical study in the rabbit utilizing horseradish peroxidase as a retrograde marker.

The distribution of labelled cells within the raphe nuclei has been studied after iontophoretic injections of horseradish peroxidase into various folia of the cerebellar paramedian lobule. Retrogradely marked neurons of all sizes and shapes were found in more caudally located raphe nuclei: obscurus, pallidus, magnus and pontis, as well as single neurons in nucleus centralis superior and dorsal raphe nucleus. The nuclei raphe pontis and obscurus send the greatest number of fibers to the paramedian lobule. Most of the projection takes origin from raphe neurons located in midline and ipsilaterally. Folia c and d are the recipients of most afferents from the raphe nuclei (pallidus, obscurus, pontis, magnus). On the other hand, folia f and e appear to receive contribution from nuclei raphe pontis and pallidus, while folia a and b from nuclei obscurus and magnus. Additionally single neurons in nucleus raphe dorsalis contribute to the projection onto the folia f and e, and from nucleus centralis superior to the folia c, d and occasionally to the sublobule a. The studies are discussed in relation to other investigations of afferent-efferent connections and already known functional role of the raphe nuclei.