[Antidromal activation and synaptic processes of Deiters nucleus induced by stimulation of the inferior olive and reticular nucleus of the pontine tegmentum]

Abstract

Effects of stimulation of the inferior olive and nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis on the activity of neurons of the lateral vestibular nucleus of Deiters were studied in cats by means of intracellular recording technique. The stimulation of the rostral region of inferior olive evoked mainly antidromic responses in the Deiters' neurons whereas during the stimulation of the caudal region of inferior olive synaptic responses were prevailing. Stimulation of the rostral and, particularly, the caudal regions of inferior olive as well as nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis produced mono- and/or oligosynaptic and polysynaptic IPSPs. Mono- and/or oligosynaptic and polysynaptic EPSPs occurred in the Deiters' neurons during stimulation of the caudal region of inferior olive. Convergence of influences from the stimulated structures on the vestibular neurons under study was shown. Peculiarities and functional significance of these influences are discussed.