Spinocerebellar projections to lobules I and II of the anterior lobe in the cat, as studied by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase

Abstract

Spinocerebellar tract (SCT) neurons projecting to lobules I and II of the cerebellar anterior lobe were identified by the retrograde horseradish peroxidase technique in the cat. Instead of a conventional stereotaxic approach, we removed ventral parts of the vermis of the posterior lobe and approached the posterior aspect of lobule I through the fourth ventricle. Under direct visual guidance, discrete injections were made into lobule I or lobule II with a glass micropipette. Neurons projecting to lobule I were located mainly in the central cervical nucleus (CCN), the medial part of lamina VII of L6 to the caudal segments, and in lamina VIII of S2 to the caudal segments (with crossed ascending axons). The latter two groups correspond to the medial lamina VII group of the lumbar to the caudal segments and the ventral horn group of the sacral-caudal segments of our previous studies. A small number of Clarke column neurons (with uncrossed ascending axons) also projected to lobule I. All of these neuronal groups projected to lobule II. In addition, large neurons in lamina V and in the border between laminae IV and V from S2 to the caudal segments projected to sublobule IIA, and more numerously to sublobule IIB (with crossed ascending axons). They belong to the dorsal horn group of the sacral-caudal segments of our previous studies. Spinal border cells (with crossed ascending axons) projected to sublobule IIB, and a small number, to sublobule IIA. It was suggested that the CCN neurons project more densely to the median region whereas Clarke column neurons project to the lateral part of these lobules.