[Effects of peripheral nerve, lateral reticular nucleus, and inferior olive stimulation on cerebellar fastigial nucleus neurons in the cat].

Activity of fastigial neurons to stimulation of fore- and hindlimb peripheral nerves and the brain stem structures (lateral reticular nucleus and inferior olive) transmitting the mediated peripheral impulsation to the cerebellum was studied intracellularly in cats under slight nembutal anaesthesia. Stimulation of nerves evoked excitation in most of the neurons recorded which displayed repeated discharges to each single stimulus. Latencies of responses were distributed into three main groups. Prevailing values of latencies suggest the transmission of peripheral impulses via slow and, partly, fast spinocerebellar pathways. Stimulation of the lateral reticular nucleus and inferior olive was accompanied by mono- and polysynaptic, as well as antidromic activation of fastigial neurons. Monosynaptic and antidromic activation of the neurons are considered as a proof of direct reticulo- and olivofastigial projections and feedback in these inputs to the fastigial nucleus.