Cerebellar output response to afferent stimulation: energy consumption and unit activity in the cat fastigial nucleus

The cerebellar output function was studied using cerebellopetal proprioceptive stimulation which produces simple and complex excitatory discharges as well as inhibitory activity in the Purkinje cells. The activity of the intracerebellar nuclei (and of the entire brain stem) was measured by the energy consumption as revealed with the [14C )-2-deoxyglucose method. The stimulations consisted of repetitive (1-20 c/s) electrical excitation of the nerve leading to the inferior oblique, to the masseteric and to the gastrocnemius soleus muscle. Compared to a group of non-stimulated controls, heavy bilateral labeling was obtained in the posterior pole of the fastigial nucleus. This was not observed with stimulation of the vibrissal pad which, however, produced a clear increase of [14C]-2-deoxyglucose uptake in the secondary trigeminal complex. Labeling of the posterior part of the fastigial nuclei was suppressed by ablation or pharmacologic inactivation of the overlying cerebellar cortex which suppresses the inhibitory activity of the Purkinje cells into the nuclear cells. Labeling of the posterior fastigial nuclei was also decreased in animals not stimulated but with ablation or pharmacologic inactivation of the overlying cerebellar cortex. The hypothesis proposed is that the marking results are the consequence of an increased activity in the Purkinje cell terminals. The activity of the Purkinje cells was also recorded extracellulary both before and during repetitive stimulation of a muscle nerve. The discharge activity of those in the cerebellar vermis and giving axons to the posterior fastigial nucleus was increased by the stimulation, whereas the activity of those of the hemispheral parts remained unchanged. Units in the fastigial nucleus were also recorded. Their activity was found to be deeply depressed so that only a few units were encountered and no further decrease of their discharge could be detected with the stimulation of a muscle nerve. Nevertheless, using the present data and those previously obtained, the conclusion is advanced that the cerebellar output function is actually decreased during afferent cerebellar stimulation.