Role of cerebellum on ventilatory change due to muscle-receptor stimulation in the dog.

The role of the cerebellum in reflex increase of ventilation due to muscle-receptor stimulation was studied in dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Stimulilike pressure application or stretch of gastrocnemius muscle produced increase in ventilation. Ablation or cooling of the anterior lobe of cerebellum significantly reduced this ventilatory response to application of the same degree of pressure or stretch of the gastrocnemius muscle. Ablation or cooling of the posterior lobe of the cerebellum did not have any effect on ventilation due to muscle-receptor stimulation. It was concluded that the anterior lobe of the cerebellum is in some way concerned with the ventilatory change produced by muscle-receptor activation.