Oscillations in the cerebellar cortex: a prediction of their frequency bands

Local recurrent connections endow the cerbellar cortex with an intrinsic dynamics. We performed computer simulations to predict the frequency bands of the oscillations that will most likely emerge. Feedback inhibition from the Golgi to the granule cells induced 10-50 Hz oscillations, the period at resonance being approximately equal to four times the maximum conduction delay generated along the parallel-fiber connections from granule to Golgi cells. In the molecular layer, the interneurons tended to induce fast oscillations (100-250 Hz), having a period equal to about four times the delay over their reciprocal synaptic connections. Finally, although the presence of lateral inhibition among the Purkinje cells has not been firmly established, reciprocal Purkinje-cell synapses are predicted to transform the cerebellar cortex into a potential temporal integrator.