[Long-term changes in the activity of Purkinje cells and efferent cerebellar neurons following bilateral destruction of the inferior olive].

The spontaneous discharge frequency of Purkinje cells and neurones of the cerebellar nuclei was evaluated in rats after complete bilateral destruction of their inferior olive with 3-acetylpyridine, performed one day to six months before. The deafferentation from the climbing fibers produced an increased inhibitory action of the Purkinje cells on their target neurones, lasting at least for one week. A relative compensation took place progressively during the first month, but the normal activity of the circuit did not recover even after six months.