Functional connections between neurons of interpositus nucleus of the cerebellum and the red nucleus

Abstract

Patterns of functional connections between individual neurons of nucleus interpositus (IP) of the cerebellum and red nucleus (RN) were examined. This was assessed by cross-correlation of spike trains characterizing interaction between simultaneously recorded neurons. Direct interpositorubral connections were always excitatory in nature: direct inhibition was only found within and not between these nuclei. Shared inputs from common sources outnumber other types of interpositorubral connections. Patterns of connection between IP RN neurons could be influenced by sensorimotor cortex.