Few Details of Cerebellar Connections

 Intracortical connections

      Within the cerebellum the Purkinje cell axons are the only ones that enter the white matter from the cortex. Hence all afferent impulses (brought by climbing fibres and mossy fibres must ultimately reach Purkinje cells. We have seen that climbing fibres synapse directly with Purkinje cells. Mossy fibres, however, influence Purkinje cells through granule cells. Another important difference between the climbing and mossy fibres is that whereas one climbing fibre specifically influences one Purkinje cell, the influence of a mossy fibre is far more diffuse. This is so because, firstly, one mossy fibre synapses with several granule cells; and secondly, each granule cell synapses with numerous Purkinje cells through parallel fibres. Both these influences (i.e., of climbing fibres, and of mossy fibres through granule cells) are excitatory to Purkinje cells.

           We have seen that parallel fibres (carrying impulses from mossy fibres relayed by granule cells) synapse with dendrites of basket cells, stellate cells and Golgi cells. The axons of stellate and basket cells end in direct relation to Purkinje cells. They are inhibitory to the Purkinje cells. The axons of Golgi cells (terminating in relation to glomeruli) are believed to exert an inhibiting influence on the synapses between mossy fibres and granule cell dendrites.

        Purkinje cell activity occurs as a result of all these influences. We have seen that Purkinje cells project to cerebellar nuclei. Physiological evidence suggests that this influence is inhibitory to these nuclei. Excitatory influences probably reach these nuclei through collaterals from various cerebellar afferents.

Cerebellar modules

       Recently it has been proposed that the cerebellum is divisible into a large number of discrete ‘modules’ each consisting of a group of Purkinje cells, their axons, and groups of cells in cerebellar nuclei in which they end (Fig. 12.9). Climbing fibres are also included in this modular concept which has been described as ‘modular organisation of cerebellar output’.

Functional localisation in the cerebellum

       In the cerebellar cortex it is possible to localise areas that receive afferents from different parts of the body. There is a double representation on the superior and inferior surfaces of the cerebellum. Representation on the superior surface is ipsilateral; and that on the inferior surface is bilateral. On either surface the anteroposterior sequence of parts represented is leg, trunk, arm and head. These area are located in vermal and paravermal areas (paleocerebellum) and correspond to areas that receive fibres from the spinal cord. Stimulation of these areas produces movements in parts of the body that correspond roughly to those from which sensory impulses are received.

        In addition to proprioceptive impulses the cerebellum receives visual impulses which reach the folium and tuber. A second visual area is located in the biventral lobule and tonsil. These visual areas also receive auditory impulses. Vestibular impulses are received mainly by the nodule and flocculus.

        The regions of cerebellar cortex from which efferent projections pass to the cerebellar nuclei are arranged in a medio-lateral sequence corresponding to the position of the nuclei. The fastigial nucleus receives fibres from the vermis, the globose and emboliform nuclei from paravermal regions, and the dentate nucleus from the lateral region. Further details are given.

Cerebello vestibular connections 

      The vestibular nuclei receive direct projections from the cerebellar cortex (Fig. 12.10). They are, therefore, regarded as displaced cerebellar nuclei.

        At the outset it is necessary to emphasise that, as far as cerebellar connections are concerned, the lateral vestibular nucleus (Dieter’s nucleus) is distinct from other vestibular nuclei.

Connections of vestibular nuclei (other than lateral)

1.              These nuclei receive labyrinthine impulses (conveying information about the position and movements of the head) through the vestibular nerve. (The fibres of this nerve are constituted by central processes of bipolar neurons in the vestibular ganglion). The neurons of vestibular nuclei carry these impulses to the cortex of the vestibulo-cerebellum (flocculonodular lobe, and uvula). Many fibres of the vestibular nerve bypass the vestibular nuclei and project directly to the vestibulocerebellum. (Note that the vestibulo-cerebellum corresponds roughly to archicerebellum, but excludes the lingula, and includes part of the uvula).

2.              The vestibulo-cerebellum projects to vestibular nuclei either directly, or after relay in the fastigial nucleus.

3.              The vestibular nuclei are connected to cranial nerve nuclei supplying muscles that move the eyeballs through the medial longitudinal fasciculus. Some fibres of the medial longitudinal fasciculus ascend to the thalamus and others descend into the spinal cord.

        Through the connections described above the vestibulo-cerebellum (specially the flocculus) plays an important role in control of eye movements, particularly during movements of the head, and when the eyes are following a moving object (pursuit movements). [In this connection it is important to remember that visual information, and information about eye movements reach the flocculus through the reticular formation].

Connections of the lateral vestibular nucleus with the cerebellum

       The lateral vestibular nucleus (of Dieter) does not receive fibres from the labyrinth, nor is it connected to the fastigial nucleus.

        This nucleus receives a direct projection from the anterior part of the vermis (zone B). These impulses are relayed to the spinal cord through the lateral vestibulospinal tract (arising in the lateral vestibular nucleus).

        The cerebellar cortex is able to influence muscles of the trunk and limbs through the lateral vestibular nucleus.

Olivocerebellar connections

        The inferior olivary complex (made up of the main and accessory olivary nuclei) sends numerous fibres to the opposite half of the cerebellum (Fig. 12.11). Various parts of this complex exhibit a point to point relationship with the cerebellar hemisphere. The accessory olivary nuclei (lying most medially) project to the vermis and intermediate regions (zones A, B, C); while medial, intermediate and lateral parts of the (main) inferior olivary nucleus project to corresponding regions of the hemispheres (zone D).

        Olivocerebellar fibres end within the cerebellar cortex as climbing fibres. Collaterals from these fibres terminate in cerebellar nuclei. There is a one to one relationship between cells of the inferior olive and Purkinje cells. Some details of olivocerebellar projections are given in Fig. 12.12.

        The accessory olivary nuclei receive afferents from all levels of the spinal cord (spino-olivary tract) conveying both exteroceptive and proprioceptive impulses. These impulses reach the cerebellum through olivocerebellar fibres (which are completely crossed). We may, therefore, speak of a spino-olivo-cerebellar pathway. Exteroceptive and proprioceptive impulses also reach the olivary complex through the nucleus gracilis and cuneatus, and through the trigeminal nuclei. The inferior olivary nucleus also helps to connect the cerebral cortex (motor area), the thalamus, the corpus striatum, the red nucleus, and the reticular formation to the cerebellum.

Further details of olivocerebellar connections

1.              The spinal sensory input to the inferior olivary nucleus is received mainly by the dorsal accessory olive. These inputs are relayed to the vermis and pars intermedia of the cerebellar cortex.

2.              Visual related inputs reach the inferior olivary complex from the midbrain. Fibres from the superior colliculus reach the middle region of the medial accessory olive, and are relayed to the folium and tuber. These parts of the vermis are intimately involved in control of eye movements (saccades). Fibres also descend to the olivary complex from the vertical and horizontal gaze centres in the midbrain. These fibres reach outlying cell groups present in relation to the medial accessory olive; and are relayed to the flocculus.

3.              Vestibular inputs reach outlying cell groups related to the medial accessory olive; and are relayed to the nodule

4.              Fibres descending from the red nucleus project mainly to the main inferior olivary nucleus and the medial accessory olive. The inferior olivary complex is influenced by the cerebral cortex (motor, premotor) through the red nucleus. The cerebellum also influences the inferior olive through the red nucleus.       

        The fibres reaching the olivary complex from the red nucleus, and from the central grey matter of the midbrain, constitute the central tegmental tract (or fasciculus). On reaching the inferior olivary nucleus these fibres spread out as a thin layer around the inferior olivary nucleus, forming a layer called the olivary amiculum.

Cerebello-olivary fibres

       The cerebellar nuclei which receive collaterals from different parts of the inferior olivary complex (Fig. 12.12) give a GABAergic feed back to the corresponding part of the complex. The cerebellum also influences the olivo-cerebellar output directly through the red nucleus.

Connectons between cerebellum and reticular formation

Reticulo-cerebellar fibres

        The cerebellum receives fibres from and sends fibres to the reticular formation (Fig. 12.13). Impulses passing from the cerebellum to the reticularformation are relayed to the spinal cord and to cranialnerve  nuclei  through  reticulospinal  andreticulonuclear pathways; and to the thalamusthrough reticulothalamic fibres. Details of theseconnections are as follows.

        The cerebellum receives fibres mainly from threenuclei in the reticular formation. These are (a) thelateral reticular nucleus in the medulla, (b) the paramedian reticular nucleus (lying in the lower part of the medulla within the medial longitudinal fasciculus; not listed in Fig. 11.14), and (c) the reticular nucleus of the pontine tegmentum (Nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis, NRTP).

        Fibres from the lateral reticular nucleus reach the anterior lobe and the biventral lobule (paramedian lobule of cats), bilaterally. Fibres from the NRTP reach almost all parts of the cerebellar cortex except the parts to which the lateral reticular nucleus projects.

        The paramedian reticular nucleus sends fibres to the entire cerebellar cortex. The fibres from the lateral reticular nucleus and the NRTP give collaterals to cerebellar nuclei (mainly to the fastigial nucleus).

Cerebello-reticular connections

       Cerebellar nuclei project to the lateral reticular nucleus and the NRTP. Fibres to the lateral reticular nucleus are mainly from the fastigial nucleus. Some of these fibres reach the reticular formation through the descending branch of the superior cerebellar peduncle. Fibres from the fastigial nucleus also reach the tegmentum of the midbrain (including the dorsal tegmental nucleus, the central grey, and the vertical gaze centre), the raphe nuclei and the locus coeruleus. Through some of these connections the cerebellum can influence visceromotor function.

        Fibres from the dentate, emboliform and globose nuclei end in the medial reticular formation of the pons and medulla and in the NRTP (mainly from emboliform nucleus).

Cerebellorubral connections

      Fibres arising in cerebellar nuclei (mainly emboliform and globose, with some from fastigial and dentate nuclei) pass through the superior cerebellar peduncle to reach the red nucleus (Fig.12.14). The significance of these connections is as follows.

a.              Neurons in the caudal magnocellular part of the red nucleus give origin to the rubrospinal tract (which is not prominent in man). Through this tract the cerebellum influences motor neurons in the spinal cord. In this cerebello-rubrospinal pathway there is a double decussation. The cerebellorubral fibres cross in the decussation of the superior cerebellar peduncle, while the rubrospinal fibres cross in the ventral tegmental decussation. As a result the cerebellum influences the same side of the spinal cord through this pathway.

b.              Fibres arising in the cranial parvicellular part of the red nucleus descend through the central tegmental tract to the inferior olivary complex. They can influence the activity of olivo-cerebellar fibres.

c.               Some fibres from the red nucleus projectback to cerebellar nuclei. These nuclei are also influenced indirectly through collaterals reaching them from olivocerebellar fibres.

Cerebello-thalamic connections

       Fibres arising in the dentate nucleus (and a few in the emboliform, globose and fastigial nuclei) pass through the superior cerebellar peduncle, to reach the thalamus of the opposite side, either directly, or after relay in the red nucleus.

Tecto-cerebellar connections

      The superior and inferior colliculi send fibres to the cerebellum. The fibres terminate in vermal and paravermal regions. They are believed to carry auditory and visual impulses to the cerebellum. Visual impulses may also reach the cerebellum through an occipito-ponto-cerebellar pathway, and through the inferior olivary complex.

        Fibres ascending from the fastigial nucleus reach the tectum.