[Comparative physiologic study of the responses of cerebellar cortex neurons to stimulation of the vagus nerve].

The cerebellar cortex neuronal responses (of Purkinje cells--PC, and of unidentified neurons UN) to vagus stimulation in anesthetized pigeons, rats and monkeys were actualized as spikes or as complex discharges in PC. Tonic neuronal responses were mainly excitatory. All the PC and the majority of UN were polymodal. Differences in the line: birds--mammals, started with an increase of responsiveness, particularly on account of mossy fibers input. A shortening of neuronal responses latency was observed. In monkeys only, a lengthening of inhibitory pauses and a variability of afterdischarges were found. The significance of cerebellum in interoceptive information processing seems to increase in phylogenesis.