A spinocerebellar climbing fibre path activated by the flexor reflex afferents from all four limbs

Abstract

1. A pathway ascending in the lateral funiculus of the spinal cord and terminating as climbing fibres in the cerebellar anterior lobe has been investigated in decerebrate cats with the cord partially transected in the third cervical segment sparing only part of the left lateral funiculus. The climbing fibre responses evoked in Purkinje cells were studied by recording from single cells and by recording the mass activity at the cerebellar surface.2. The pathway is activated by the flexor reflex afferents from all four limbs. It ascends in an area of the lateral funiculus which partly overlaps that of the dorsolateral spino-olivocerebellar path (Larson, Miller & Oscarsson, 1969) but also extends more ventrally. The pathway conducts relatively fast in the spinal cord and is considerably delayed in the brain stem suggesting several interneurones at that level. It projects to a narrow sagittal zone in lobule V of the pars intermedia (Fig. 4).3. It is not known if the pathway relays in the inferior olive and it has provisionally been denoted the LF-CF-SCP (lateral funiculus-climbing fibre-spinocerebellar path).4. The Purkinje cells were usually activated by the flexor reflex afferents from all four limbs with equal effectiveness. On natural stimulation responses were obtained on deep pressure of the limbs.5. The pathway and its functional significance are discussed.