Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The cerebellar corticonuclear and nucleocortical projections in the cat as studied with anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase

I. The paramedian lobule

  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The cerebellar paramedian corticonuclear and nucleocortical connections in the cat were studied by means of anterograde and retrograde transport of HRP.

Previous experimental studies have given evidence that the paramedian cortex in a lateromedial direction can be subdivided, into six longitudinal zones. These are recognized as zones D2, D1, C3, C2, C1 and B. An analysis of our material suggests that each cortical zone has its own field of termination in the cerebellar nuclei and that the Purkinje fibres from one zone have only one terminal region. The nuclear terminal areas for the fibres from the described cortical zones are the ventral nucleus lateralis (the D2 zone), the transition area between the nucleus lateralis and nucleus interpositus anterior (the D1 zone), the dorsolateral nucleus interpositus posterior (the C2 zone), the ventromedial nucleus interpositus posterior (the C1 zone), and the dorsomedial nucleus interpositus anterior (the B zone). A separate nuclear terminal region for the fibres from a cortical C3 zone could not be positively demonstrated, but a comparison of cases makes it likeky that it is located in the transition area of nucleus lateralis and nucleus interpositus anterior, medially to the D1 zone.

The rostral folia of the paramedian lobule project more laterally in the cerebellar nuclei than do the caudal folia. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the axons of the Purkinje cells in one folium from medial to lateral terminate along a mediolateral nuclear band which loops from the dorsomedial nucleus interpositus anterior down into the ventral nucleus interpositus posterior, and from a bend in this part to the dorsal nucleus interpositus posterior, and hence into the transition zone of nucleus interpositus anterior and nucleus lateralis, from here to proceed caudally to its end.

The nucleocortical projection shows with some exceptions the same zonal arrangement as the corticonuclear, but a few labelled nuclear neurons were in some cases found in the fastigial nucleus. This nucleus does not receive Purkinje axons from the paramedian lobule. This shows that although retrogradely labelled nuclear cells usually were located among or just adjacent to anterogradely filled terminal fibres, there is not a complete reciprocity in the corticonuclear and nucleocortical projections. The observations furthermore indicate that the cortical afferents terminate as mossy fibres.

The advantages and problems encountered with the use of HRP as an anterograde tracer are discussed and the observations are related to previous observations on the corticonuclear and nucleocortical cerebellar projections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Armstrong, D.M., Harvey, R.J., Schild, R.F.: Branching of inferior olivary axons to terminate in different folia, lobules or lobes of the cerebellum. Brain Res, 54, 365–371 (1973a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, D.M., Harvey, R.J., Schild, R.F.: Spino-olivocerebellar pathways to the posterior lobe of the cat cerebellum. Exp. Brain Res. 18, 1–18 (1973b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, D.M., Harvey, R.J., Schild, R.F.: The spatial organization of climbing fibre branching in the cat cerebellum. Exp. Brain Res. 18, 40–58 (1973c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, D.M., Harvey, R.J., Schild, R.F.: Topographical localization in the olivocerebellar projection: An electrophysiological study in the cat. J. Comp. Neurol. 154, 287–302 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, G.A., McCrea, R.A. Lighthall, J.W., Kitai, S.T.: An HRP and autoradiographic study of the projection from the cerebellar cortex to the nucleus interpositus anterior and nucleus interpositus posterior of the cat. J. Comp. Neurol. 185, 735–756 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloedel, J.R., Bantli, H., Tolbert, D.L.: Cerebellar nucleo-cortical projection in the rhesus monkey. Neurosci. Abstr. 2, 106 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadwell, R.D., Brightman, M.W.: Cytochemistry of undamaged neurons transporting exogenous protein in vivo. J. Comp. Neurol. 185, 31–74 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodal, A.: The olivocerebellar projection in the cat as studied with the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. II. The projection to the uvula. J. Comp. Neurol. 166, 417–426 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodal, A., Courville, J.: Cerebellar corticonuclear projection in the cat. Crus II. An experimental study with silver methods. Brain Res. 50, 1–23 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodal, A., Kawamura, K.: The olivocerebellar projection: A review. Adv. Anat. Embryol. Cell Biol. (In press)

  • Brodal, A., Walberg, F.: The olivocerebellar projection in the cat studied with the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. IV. the projection to the anterior lobe. J. Comp. Neurol. 172, 85–108 (1977a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodal, A., Walberg, F.: The olivocerebellar projection in the cat studied with the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. VI. The projection onto longitudinal zones of the paramedian lobule. J. Comp. Neurol. 176, 281–294 (1977b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodal, A., Walberg, F., Hoddevik, G.H.: The olivocerebellar projection in the cat studied with the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. I. The projection to the paramedian lobule. J. Comp. Neurol. 164, 449–470 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cajal, see Ramón y Cajal

  • Carrea, R.M.E., Reissig, M., Mettler, F.A.: The climbing fibers of the simian and feline cerebellum. Experimental inquiry into their origin by lesion of the inferior olives and deep cerebellar nuclei. J. Comp. Neurol. 87, 321–365 (1947)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan-Palay, V.: Cerebellar dentate nucleus: Organization, cytology and transmitters. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, D., Chambers, W.W., Sprague, J.M.: Experimental study of the efferent projections from the cerebellar nuclei to the brainstem of the cat. J. Comp. Neurol. 109, 233–259 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Colman, D.R., Scalia, F., Cabrales, E.: Light and electron microscopic observations on the anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase in the optic pathway in the mouse and rat. Brain Res. 102, 156–163 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Condé, F., Condé, H.: Observations on the orthograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase in the cat. J. Hirnforsch. 20, 35–46 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, J.D., Oscarsson, O., Sjölund, B.: Termination areas of climbing fibre paths in paramedian lobule. Acta physiol. scand. 84, 37A-38A (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Courville, J.: Distribution of olivocerebellar fibers demonstrated by a radioautographic tracing method. Brain Res. 95, 253–263 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Courville, J., Diakiw, N., Brodal, A.: Cerebellar corticonuclear projection in the cat. The paramedian lobule. An experimental study with silver methods. Brain Res. 50, 25–45 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Courville, J., Faraco-Cantin, F.: Cerebellar corticonuclear projection demonstrated by the horseradish peroxidase method. Neurosci. Abstr. 2, part I, 108 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Flood, S., Jansen, J.: On the cerebellar nuclei in the cat. Acta anat. (Basel) 46, 52–72 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, B.B.: Topographic organization of the cerebellar nucleo-cortical projection in the cat. Anat. Rec. 187, 592 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, B.B.: The organization of afferents to the cerebellar cortex in the cat: Projection from the deep cerebellar nuclei. J. Comp. Neurol. 184, 27–42 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, B.B., Graybiel, A.: Afferents to the cerebellar cortex in the cat: evidence for an intrinsic pathway leading from the deep nuclei to the cortex. Brain Res. 110, 601–611 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, R.C., Karnovsky, M.J.: The early stages of absorption of injected horseradish peroxidase in the proximal tubule of mouse kidney: Ultrastructural cytochemistry by a new technique. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 14, 291–302 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Groenewegen, H.J., Voogd, J.: The parasagittal zonation within the olivocerebellar projection. I. Climbing fiber distribution in the vermis of the cat cerebellum. J. Comp. Neurol. 174, 417–488 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Groenewegen, H.J., Voogd, J., Freedman, S.L.: The parasagittal zonation within the olivocerebellar projection. II. Climbing fiber distribution in the intermediate and hemispheric parts of cat cerebellum. J. Comp. Neurol. 183, 551–602 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haines, D.E.: Cerebellar corticonuclear-nucleocortical topography: A study of the tree shrew (Tupaia) paraflocculus. Anat. Rec. 190, 411 (1978a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haines, D.E.: Contralateral nucleocortical cells of the paraflocculus of tree shrew (Tupaia glis). Neurosci. Lett. 8, 183–190 (1978b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haines, D.E., Pearson, J.C.: Cerebellar corticonuclear-nucleocortical topography: A study of the tree shrew (Tupaia) paraflocculus. J. Comp. Neurol. 187, 745–758 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedreen, J.C., McGrath, S.: Observations in labeling of neuronal cell bodies axons, and terminals after injection of horseradish peroxidase into rat brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 176, 225–246 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoddevik, G.H., Brodal, A., Walberg, F.: The olivocerebellar projection in the cat studied with the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. III. The projection to the vermal visual area. J. Comp. Neurol. 169, 155–170 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawamura, K., Hashikawa, T.: Olivocerebellar projections in the cat studied by means of anterograde axonal transport of labelled amino acids as tracers. Neuroscience (in press)

  • Kotchabhakdi, N., Walberg, F., Brodal, A.: The olivocerebellar projection in the cat studied with the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. VII. The projection to lobulus simplex, crus I and II. J. Comp. Neurol. 182, 293–314 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristensson, K., Olsson, Y., Sjöstrand, J.: Axonal uptake and retrograde transport of exogenous proteins in the hypoglossal nerve. Brain Res. 32, 399–406 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsell, O.: The comparative anatomy and histology of the cerebellum from monotremes through apes. (J. Jansen, ed.). Minneapolis: The University of Minnesota Press 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • LaVail, J.H., LaVail, M.M.: The retrograde intraaxonal transport of horseradish peroxidase in the chick visual system: A light and electron microscopic study. J. Comp. Neurol. 157, 303–358 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • LaVail, J.H., Winston, K.R., Tish, A.: A method based on retrograde intraaxonal transport of protein for identification of cell bodies of origin of axons terminating within the CNS. Brain Res. 58, 470–477 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, G., Gall, C., Mensah, P., Cotman, C.W.: Horseradish, peroxidase histochemistry: A new method for tracing efferent projections in the central nervous system. Brain Res. 65, 373–380 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, G., Smith, R.L., Mensah, P., Cotman, C.: Tracing the dentate gyrus mossy fiber system with horseradish peroxidase histochemistry. Exp. Neurol. 40, 516–524 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsushita, M., Iwahori, N.: Structural organization of the fastigial nucleus. I. Dendrites and axonal pathways. Brain Res. 25, 597–610 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsushita, M., Iwahori, N. Structural organization of the interpositus and the dentate nuclei. Brain Res, 35, 17–36 (1971b)

    Google Scholar 

  • McCrea, R.A., Bishop, G.A., Kitai, S.T.: Intracellular staining of Purkinje cells and their axons with horseradish peroxidase. Brain Res. 118, 132–136 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mesulam, M.-M.: The blue reaction product in horseradish peroxidase neurohistochemistry: incubation parameters and visibility. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 24, 1273–1280 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mesulam, M.-M.: Tetramethyl benzidine for horseradish peroxidase neurohistochemistry: a noncarcinogenic blue reaction-product with superior sensitivity for visualizing neural afferents and efferents. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 26, 106–117 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mesulam, M.-M., Rosene, D.: Sensitivity in horseradish peroxidase neurohistochemistry: A comparative and quantitative study of nine methods. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 27, 763–773 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oscarsson, O.: The sagittal organization of the cerebellar anterior lobe, as revealed by the projection patterns of the climbing fiber system. In: Neurobiology of cerebellar evolution and development. (R. Llinás, ed). Chicago: Amer. med. Ass. 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Oscarsson, O.: Functional organization of spinocerebellar paths. In: Handbook of sensory physiology. Vol. II. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Oscarsson, O., Sjölund, B.: The ventral spino-olivocerebellar system in the cat. I. Identification of five paths and their termination in the cerebellar anterior lobe. Exp. Brain Res. 28, 469–486 (1977a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oscarsson, O., Sjölund, B.: The ventral spino-olivocerebellar system in the cat. II. Termination zones in the cerebellar posterior lobe. Exp. Brain Res. 28, 487–503 (1977b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oscarsson, O., Sjölund, B.: The ventral spino-olivocerebellar system in the cat. III. Functional characteristics of the five paths. Exp. Brain Res. 28, 505–520 (1977c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S.L., Chan-Palay, V.: Cerebellar cortex. Cytology and organization. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramón y Cajal, S.: Histologie du système nerveux de l'homme et des vertébrés. Vol. 2. Paris: Maloine 1911

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherlock, D.A., Raisman, G.: A comparison of anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of HRP in the connections of the mammillary nuclei in the rat. Brain Res. 85, 321–324 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Streit, P., Reubi, J.C.: A new and sensitive staining method for axonally transported horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the pigeon visual system. Brain Res 126, 530–537 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert, D.L., Bantli, H.: An HRP and autoradiographic study of cerebellar corticonuclear-nucleocortical reciprocity in the monkey. Exp. Brain Res. 36, 563–571 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert, D.L., Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: Anatomical and physiological evidence for a cerebellar nucleo-cortical projection in the cat. Neuroscience 1, 205–217 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert, D.L., Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: The intracerebellar nucleocortical projection in a primate. Exp. Brain Res. 30, 425–434 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert, D.L., Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: Multiple branching of cerebellar efferent projections in cats. Exp. Brain Res. 31, 305–316 (1978a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert, D.L., Bantli, H., Bloedel, J.R.: Organizational features of the cat and monkey cerebellar nucleocortical projection. J. Comp. Neurol. 182, 39–56 (1978b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Voogd, J.: The ceerebellum of the cat. Structure and fibre connexions. Thesis. Assen: Van Gorcum 1964

  • Voogd, J.: The importance of fiber connections in the comparative anatomy of the mammalian cerebellum. In: Neurobiology of cerebellar evolution and development. (R. Llinás, ed.). Chicago: Amer. med. Ass. 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Voogd, J., Bigaré, F.: The topographical distribution of olivary and corticonuclear fibers in the cerebellum. A review. In: The inferior olivary nucleus. New York: Raven Press (in press)

  • Walberg, F., Brodal, A.: The longitudinal zonal pattern in the paramedian lobule of the cat's cerebellum. An analysis based on a correlation of recent HRP data with results of studies with other methods. J. Comp. Neurol. 187, 581–588 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walberg, F., Brodal, A., Hoddevik, G.H.: A note on the method of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase as a tool in studies of afferent cerebellar connections, particularly those from the inferior olive; with comments on the orthograde transport in Purkinje cell axons. Exp. Brain Res. 24, 383–401 (1976a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walberg, F., Holländer, H., Grofová, I.: An autoradiographic identification of Purkinje axon terminals in the cat. J. Neurocytol. 5, 157–169 (1976b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Warr, W.B.: Localization of olivocochlear neurons by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. Anat. Rec. 175, 464 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. E. Dietrichs

    Present address: The Norwegian Research Council for Science and the Humanities, Oslo, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anatomical Institute, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    E. Dietrichs & F. Walberg

Authors
  1. E. Dietrichs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Walberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dietrichs, E., Walberg, F. The cerebellar corticonuclear and nucleocortical projections in the cat as studied with anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Anat Embryol 158, 13–39 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315949

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315949

Key words

Search

Navigation