Persistent reduction of Purkinje cell inhibition on neurones of the cerebellar nuclei after climbing fibre deafferentation.
The long lasting effects of inferior olive (IO) destruction were studied in rats treated with 3-acetylpyridine two years before. The activities of the Purkinje cells (PCs) and of their target neurones in the cerebellar nuclei (ECNs), were investigated and compared to those of a group of non-treated rats. Our results show that long-term deafferented PCs recovered a mean firing frequency similar to that of the controls while the ECNs discharge is enhanced. Furthermore, the cryodestruction of the cerebellar cortex produces a significant release of the ECNs firing in the control rats but not in the poisoned animals. Thus, it appears that IO destruction induces a permanent impairment of the inhibitory control exerted by the PCs on the activity of their target neurones.
Billard
J M
JM
Unité de recherches de Neurophysiologie Pharmacologique de l'INSERM (U.161), Paris, France.
Daniel
H
H
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002529:Cerebellar Nuclei / Q000502:physiology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012016:Reference Values
D011725:Pyridines; C010835:3-acetylpyridine