Synaptic actions of peripheral nerve impulses upon Deiters neurones via the mossy fibre afferents

1. The cerebellar integration of sensory inputs to Deiters neurones was investigated in decerebrate cats. In some preparations decerebration was combined with transection of the olivocerebellar fibres.2. In the latter preparations peripheral nerve impulses generally produced a response consisting of a sequence of the following post-synaptic potentials: (i) an initial e.p.s.p. (d(1)), (ii) early i.p.s.p. (h(1)), (iii) later i.p.s.p. (h(2)).3. The mean latencies of d(1), h(1) and h(2) were 5.7, 7.3 and 9.8 msec from the forelimb nerves, and 7.5, 9.0 and 13.4 msec from the hind limb nerves, respectively.4. The stimulus intensity-response relation indicates that the Group I muscle afferents as well as the low threshold cutaneous afferents contribute to the response.5. In the preparations with the intact inferior olive there were additional components of the post-synaptic potentials: a later e.p.s.p. (d(2)) and another later i.p.s.p. (h(3)), their mean latencies being 15.3 and 19.7 msec from the forelimb nerves, and 18.0 and 21.3 msec from the hind limb nerves, respectively.6. The d(1) and h(2) components were attributed to the mossy fibre afferents and d(2) and h(3) to the climbing fibres; d(1) and d(2) were due to excitation through the collaterals of the mossy and climbing fibres, and h(2) and h(3) to inhibition from Purkyne cells activated by the mossy and climbing fibres, respectively. h(1) was too early to be produced through the cerebellum, and was probably mediated by inhibitory neurones in the reticular formation.