Functional significance of projection from the cerebellar nuclei to the motor cortex in the cat

Asanuma, Hiroshi; Hunsperger, R. W.

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(75)90510-7

Cited by 92 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…It is equally possible, however, that the multiple and widespread motor thalamocortical projection reflects the multiple and widespread representation of individual muscles in the motor cortex (Kwan et al, 1978;Pappas and Strick, 1981a,b;Tanji and Wise, 1981;Donoghue and Wise, 1982;Drew, 1984, 1985;Huang et al, 1988). Indeed, electrical microstimulation of the motor thalamus has been shown to evoke movements predominantly restricted to a single joint in awake monkeys (Strick, 1976b;Anner-Baratti et al, 1986;Buford et al, 1996;Vitek et al, 1996) and cats (Asanuma and Hunsperger, 1975). The functional extent of influence of single motor thalamocortical neurones will be an important area of study for the future, particularly with respect to current ideas concerning the development of topography in the motor system raised in the introduction.…”

Section: Divergence In the Motor Thalamocortical Projectionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Arborisation and termination of single motor thalamocortical axons in the rat

Aumann¹,

Ivanusic²,

Horne³

1998

J. Comp. Neurol.

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The aim of this study was to examine the arborisations and terminations of individual thalamocortical axons in the motor system of the rat. Small, extracellular injections of an anterograde tracer (dextran-biotin) were made into the ventrolateral (VL) or ventral posterolateral (VPL) thalamic nuclei to label thalamocortical projections. Eleven motor axons and one somatosensory axon were reconstructed through serial sections just rostral from the injection site to their terminations in sensorimotor cortex. The smallest arbor arising from a single motor axon extended approximately 0.9 mm rostrocaudal and 0.9 mm mediolateral, the largest extended 3.9 mm rostrocaudal and 1.0 mm mediolateral. In some cases, two distinct plexuses of terminals were formed by an axon. In addition, motor axons formed terminals in cortical layer V only or in layers I, III, and V. By contrast (and in keeping with previous reports), the somatosensory axon formed a single plexus of terminals in layer IV of the cortex that extended approximately 0.3 mm rostrocaudal and 0.4 mm mediolateral. It is concluded that individual motor thalamocortical neurones are in a position to influence much more widespread cortical regions than somatosensory thalamocortical neurones.

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Section: Divergence In the Motor Thalamocortical Projectionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Arborisation and termination of single motor thalamocortical axons in the rat

Aumann¹,

Ivanusic²,

Horne³

1998

J. Comp. Neurol.

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“…Its influence might be relayed via the rubrospinal and/or the corticospinal tract (see Introduction) but in cats limb muscle contractions evoked by microstimulation within the nucleus appear to be generated entirely via the rubrospinal tract (Asanuma & Hunsperger, 1975;Giuffrida et al 1980). That the interposito-rubrospinal pathway has a detailed somatotopical organization is known from experiments in which microstimulation of different afferent fibres to nucleus interpositus (e.g.…”

Section: Discharges During Locomotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1980). Other studies have shown both in cats (Asanuma & Hunsperger, 1975;Giuffrida, Li Volsi, Panto Perciavalle, Sapienza & Urbano, 1980) and monkeys (Schultz et al 1979) that microstimulation in the nucleus leads to contractions most often of flexor muscles.…”

Section: Discharges During Locomotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discharges of nucleus interpositus neurones during locomotion in the cat.

Armstrong¹,

Edgley²

1984

The Journal of Physiology

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SUMMARY1. Extracellular recordings were made from ninety-five cerebellar nuclear neurones in the cat. All were studied during periods of steady walking at 0'5 m/s and most were also studied in the resting animal.2. Most neurones were in nucleus interpositus anterior; forty-four cells were shown by antidromic invasion to project to the mid-brain.3. Most neurones discharged tonically in the absence of overt movements and the mean rate was 42 impulses/s (S.D.+ 23). During locomotion the mean rate was 68 impulses/s (S.D.+ 32).4. In all but seven neurones the discharge during locomotion was frequency modulated but in different neurones the depth of modulation varied from 5 to 161 impulses/s (mean 52 impulses/s; S.D. + 30) and the time of peak discharge relative to the step cycle in the ipsilateral forelimb also varied widely.5. Despite the individual differences the population as a whole was much more active during forelimb swing than during stance, both in numbers of neurones strongly active and in over-all average discharge rate (74 impulses/s as compared with 55).6. Most neurones had tactile receptive fields on the ipsilateral forelimb while others received input from head and neck or from both ipsilateral limbs. The tendency to discharge preferentially during early swing was greatest for the first group, especially the subpopulations with receptive fields around or proximal to the elbow.7. Cells encountered in close sequence during a micro-electrode track had similarly located receptive fields and usually showed similar patterns of discharge during locomotion.8. These findings are discussed in relation to the suggestion by Orlovsky (1972 a, b, c) that nucleus interpositus assists in regulating locomotion by evoking rubrospinal discharges which facilitate the flexor muscle activities produced by the spinal mechanisms reponsible for generating the swing phase of the step cycle.

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“…Figure 5 shows an example of a cell, sending branches to various cortical zones, commanding movements from three different joints. The axonal branching was also mentioned in the anatomical work of A sanuma et al [II] and confirmed by stimulation experiments [12]. Thus, at the VL level, the nervous system has elementary programs for motor sy nergies.…”

Section: Is Vl Organized For Simple or Complex Movements?mentioning

confidence: 51%

“…It is not surprising that high-frequency stimulation of VL provokes an excitatory effect on the contralateral musculature, as noted in experi mental animals and in man [12,24,42,46,56,60]. In order to have more precise information on the role of VL in the central command of movement, it would be interesting to know how the activity of VL cells is modified during the performance of movements.…”

Section: Is the Vl Activity Related To Posture And/or Movement?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Thalamus in the Motor System

Massion¹

1976

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg

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The ventrolateral (VL) and ventral anterior (VA) are the main thalamic relay for cerebellar and pallidal efferents going to the motor cortex. Four aspects of the function of these nuclei are briefly considered. (1) It is well known that these thalamic structures are not a simple relay on the way to the motor cortex, but that they have a gating function for the cerebellar afferents. The gating mechanism is active during slow-wave sleep, with deafferentation and with the use of various anesthetics. Possibly, it might play a role in the central organization of movement. (2) The organization at the unitary level of the projections between VL and motor cortex is examined and their role in the command of motor synergies through the motor cortex strongly suggested. (3) It appears that unitary activity of VL neurons is not only related to movement but also to postural changes associated with movement. (4) The sensory input to VL nucleus is briefly analyzed. The inefficacy of exteroceptive stimulation in awake animals, in contrast with the effect of the same stimulation in anesthetized preparations, is discussed.

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Functional significance of projection from the cerebellar nuclei to the motor cortex in the cat

Cited by 92 publications

References 21 publications

Arborisation and termination of single motor thalamocortical axons in the rat

Arborisation and termination of single motor thalamocortical axons in the rat

Discharges of nucleus interpositus neurones during locomotion in the cat.

The Thalamus in the Motor System

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