The lateral reticular nucleus in the cat IV. Activation from dorsal funiculus and trigeminal afferents

Summary

• 1. The activation of neurones in the mLRN (major portion of lateral reticular nucleus comprising its parvi- and magnocellular parts) by a spinal path ascending in the dorsal funiculus (DF) and by trigeminal afferents has been studied.

• 2. Stimulation of the DF at C3 activated about one half of the mLRN neurones. The latencies were 2–28 ms. In experiments with the spinal cord interrupted at C3 except for the DF it was shown that cutaneous and high threshold muscle afferents in mainly forelimb nerves were effective. The latencies of the responses to nerve stimulation were 8–27 ms.

• 3. Stimulation of trigeminal afferents evoked a response in about one third of the mLRN neurones. The latencies were 2–27 ms.

• 4. Activation from the DF- and trigeminal paths occurred often in the same mLRN neurones and the neurones activated from the two paths had a similar location in the nucleus and a similar termination in the cerebellar cortex.

• 5. The DF- and trigeminal paths had similar properties. Activation was evoked from both ipsilateral and contralateral nerves. Fast adapting hair receptors were commonly effective.

• 6. Evidence is presented indicating that the DF- and trigeminal paths share a common final path to the mLRN neurones which is formed by brain stem interneurones intercalated between the DF- and trigeminal nuclei and the mLRN. It is suggested that these interneurones represent a supraspinal motor centre.

• 7. Activation from the DF- and trigeminal paths occurred with unequal frequency among groups of mLRN neurones activated from different spinal paths ascending in the ipsilateral lateral funiculus (cf. Clendenin et al., 1974a).