Cerebellar inputs to motor cortex

Abstract

The macaque cerebellar nuclei all project topically onto a common thalamic field that is somatotopically organized in its projection to motor cortex. The complete overlap (except at the cellular level) of dentate and interpositus (and possibly fastigius and vestibular nuclei) projection onto the somatotopic thalamic field implies a complete body representation within each cerebellar nucleus, rather than a preferential representation of trunk in fastigius, proximal limb in interpositus and digits in dentate, as is sometimes supposed. Dentate receives from association cortex and generates the earliest signals, which assist motor cortex in initiating goal-directed movements. Interpositus receives the spinocerebellar projection and provides a fast input to motor cortex from the periphery, perhaps used in transcortical 'reflex' responses and in the control of oscillation. Fastigius and vestibular nuclei provide an opportunity for labyrinthine control of motor cortex activities-even for the digits. What is unique about cerebellar input to motor cortex? Recent work has emphasized two aspects: switching of a cerebellar signal on or off through Purkinje cell inhibition, and adjusting the magnitude of the signal to optimize motor performance.