The perineuronal net in the fastigial nucleus of the rat cerebellum. A Golgi and quantitative study

The morphological study of the rat fastigial nucleus with the Golgi-Rio Hortega method showed the presence of glial perineuronal nets surrounding the large neurons, but not the small ones. This perineuronal net appeared as a mesh of tenuous glial processes which covers the neuronal perikarya and proximal dendrites. The small alveolate compartments in this mesh seem to correspond to the holes for the synaptic boutons. Our results also indicate that the perineuronal net is derived from interneuronal protoplasmic and velate astrocytes. Using camera lucida drawings of this perineuronal net we have made a quantitative estimation of the size and density of synaptic boutons on these large neurons. The average numerical density of synaptic boutons was about 19 per 100 micron 2 of the neuronal surface, the mean area of the synaptic holes being 2.5 micron 2. Furthermore, the quantitative data evidence that about 52.5% of the neuronal surface is presumably occupied by synaptic boutons whereas the remaining 47.5% is covered by the glial processes of the perineuronal net. Semithin sections prepared from thick Golgi sections were used for the cytological study of the neurons surrounded by this glial pericellular network. The possible functional significance of the perineuronal net in the regulation of synaptic transmission in the fastigial cerebellar nucleus is briefly discussed.