Functional Localization in the Cerebellar Cortex Studied by Quantitative Determinations of Purkinje Cell RNA: I. RNA changes in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells after proprio‐and exteroceptive and vestibular stimulation

Abstract

Abstract The effects of proprioceptive and exteroceptive stimulation and of vestibular stimulation on cerebellar Purkinje cell RNA content and composition were studied in male albino rats. After stimulation involving extero‐and proprioceptors a significant increase of RNA was found in the vermian part of the lobulus centralis, the pyramis, the copula pyramidis and the parafloculus. No such increase was found in the lateral parts of the lobulus centralis, lateral parts of the culmen, the simplex, crus I or in the nodulus. After vestibular stimulation an increase of RNA content occurred in the lobulus centralis and the nodulus but not in the pyramis, the copula pyramidis or in the paraflocculus. A significant decrease of the purine/pyrimidine quotient was found in the vermian part of the lobulus centralis and in the nodulus of rats receiving vestibular stimulation. A comparison between the neuroanatomical and electrophysiological findings in this field has been presented. The conclusions are drawn that Purkinje cells increase their RNA content upon stimulation and that this condition may be used for studies of functional localization in the cerebellum.