Information about peripheral events conveyed to the cerebellum via the climbing fiber system in the decerebrate cat

Abstract

Discharges of Purkinje cells (PCs) with simple (SS) and complex spikes (CS) in the c₁zone of lobule Vc of the anterior lobe of the cerebellar cortex were analyzed in the decerebrate cat during a passive movement of the cat forepaw. The CS of the PC responded differentially and/or proportionally to the position of the extremity, amplitude of the movement, velocity and acceleration. Inphase and outphase responses of the climbing fiber (CF) system to sinusoidal movements could depend on the position of the extremity within the operational range. From these results we deduce that peripheral events can be signalled by the CF system. The possible function of the interaction between the two inputs at the PC level is discussed.