Lack of effect of cerebellectomy on ascending dopaminergic neurons in the rat brain.

The dopamine content in striatum and substantia nigra of the rat was not altered 3 weeks after total or hemicerebellectomy. Furthermore, 3 days after hemicerebellectomy basal and haloperidol-stimulated activity of ascending mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, as estimated from the in vivo rate of dopamine synthesis in striatum and nucleus accumbens, was not altered. Cupric silver degeneration staining following hemicerebellectomy failed to identify a direct anatomical pathway between cerebellum and substantia nigra in the rat.