CEREBELLAR STIMULATION - EFFECTS ON SEPTAL REGION, HIPPOCAMPUS, AND AMYGDALA OF CATS AND RATS

Abstract

The influence of the cerebellum on activity of the septal region, hippocampus and amygdala of cats and rats was determined by obtaining unit recordings from those supratentorial sites with cerebellar stimulation. While stimulation of the rostral vermis, fastigial nucleus and intervening midline folia of the cerebellum, units in the septal region were facilitated, those in the hippocampus were inhibited. Mixed results were obtained in the amygdala, some units being facilitated and other inhibited. Stimulation over the lateral cerebellar hemispheres and dentate nucleus yielded no changes in activity, and stimulation of the posterior vermis produced inconsistent septal facilitation and no hippocampal response. With stimulation of the rostral cerebellar vermis and fastigial nucleus, evoked potentials at the supratentorial sites were of very short delay times, indicating direct pathways from the cerebellum to the septal region, hippocampus and amygdala. When the dentate and fastigial nuclei were lesioned in cats, the firing rate of cells at supratentorial sites was not affected and cerebellar vermis stimulation did not significantly alter delay times of evoked responses, providing further evidence of a direct influence of the cerebellar vermis on the supratentorial sites. Relating these findings to previous patient and animal data provides a rationale for use of specific types of cerebellar stimulation in the treatment of intractable behavioral disorders and epilepsy.