Unit activity in the cerebellar nuclei related to arm reaching movements. 1988

W A MacKay
Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Ont. Canada.

Single units in the fastigial, interpositus and dentate nuclei of two stump-tail macaque monkeys were studied in relation to a right arm, visually guided reaching task. Of 638 recorded cells, 149 showed activity changes correlated to the task, including 24 in the contralateral fastigial and interpositus. Reach-related discharge patterns fell into two broad categories, tonic and phasic. Tonic responses were maintained throughout the reach with no observable relation to kinematic parameters. Most of the task-related activity occurred during the upward lift of the arm toward the target button, with a drop-off as the arm was lowered toward the rest plate. Phasic response cells fired bursts (or suppressed discharge) at specific points in the arm trajectory, most commonly during the lift phase. Many had a sharp drop in discharge when the shoulder flexion torque was transiently reversed to decelerate the arm. For either type, restricted directional specificity was rarely seen in any nucleus, and correlations with recorded EMGs were weak. Visual responses to target button illumination were observed in both the fastigial and dentate nuclei, but did not necessarily correspond with the button giving the best movement-related response. Task-related activity changes started earliest in the fastigial nuclei and latest in the interpositus nuclei. The data suggested that cerebellar output facilitates motor centers in a rather general manner, but at precisely determined times.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008251 Macaca A genus of the subfamily CERCOPITHECINAE, family CERCOPITHECIDAE, consisting of 16 species inhabiting forests of Africa, Asia, and the islands of Borneo, Philippines, and Celebes. Ape, Barbary,Ape, Black,Ape, Celebes,Barbary Ape,Black Ape,Celebes Ape,Macaque,Apes, Barbary,Apes, Black,Apes, Celebes,Barbary Apes,Black Apes,Celebes Apes,Macacas,Macaques
D009068 Movement The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior. Movements
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002529 Cerebellar Nuclei Four clusters of neurons located deep within the WHITE MATTER of the CEREBELLUM, which are the nucleus dentatus, nucleus emboliformis, nucleus globosus, and nucleus fastigii. Dentate Nucleus,Nucleus Dentatus,Nucleus Emboliformis,Nucleus Fastigii,Nucleus Globosus,Amiculum of the Dentate Nucleus,Anterior Interposed Nucleus,Anterior Interpositus Nucleus,Central Nuclei,Deep Cerebellar Nuclei,Dentate Cerebellar Nucleus,Fastigial Cerebellar Nucleus,Fastigial Nucleus,Intracerebellar Nuclei,Lateral Cerebellar Nucleus,Medial Cerebellar Nucleus,Central Nucleus,Cerebellar Nuclei, Deep,Cerebellar Nucleus,Cerebellar Nucleus, Deep,Cerebellar Nucleus, Dentate,Cerebellar Nucleus, Fastigial,Cerebellar Nucleus, Lateral,Cerebellar Nucleus, Medial,Deep Cerebellar Nucleus,Emboliformis, Nucleus,Fastigii, Nucleus,Globosus, Nucleus,Interposed Nucleus, Anterior,Interpositus Nucleus, Anterior,Intracerebellar Nucleus,Nuclei, Central,Nuclei, Cerebellar,Nuclei, Deep Cerebellar,Nuclei, Intracerebellar,Nucleus Fastigius,Nucleus, Anterior Interposed,Nucleus, Anterior Interpositus,Nucleus, Central,Nucleus, Cerebellar,Nucleus, Deep Cerebellar,Nucleus, Dentate,Nucleus, Dentate Cerebellar,Nucleus, Fastigial,Nucleus, Fastigial Cerebellar,Nucleus, Intracerebellar,Nucleus, Lateral Cerebellar,Nucleus, Medial Cerebellar
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001132 Arm The superior part of the upper extremity between the SHOULDER and the ELBOW. Brachium,Upper Arm,Arm, Upper,Arms,Arms, Upper,Brachiums,Upper Arms
D014785 Vision, Ocular The process in which light signals are transformed by the PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS into electrical signals which can then be transmitted to the brain. Vision,Light Signal Transduction, Visual,Ocular Vision,Visual Light Signal Transduction,Visual Phototransduction,Visual Transduction,Phototransduction, Visual,Transduction, Visual
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