Patterns of inputs to the parietal cortex efferent neurons from the motor cortex and cerebellum in the cat

Responses of parietal association cortex efferent neurons to motor cortex and cerebellar nuclei stimulation were studied intracellularly in anaesthetized cats. Efferent neurons of the parietal cortex were identified according to their antidromic activation on stimulation of the motor cortex, pontine nuclei proper and red nucleus. Monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials of ipsilateral anterior suprasylvian and lateral gyri neurons to motor cortex stimulation have been established. Oligo- and polysynaptic excitatory responses of parietal cortex efferent neurons to cerebellar nuclei stimulation have been recorded. Correlation between the latencies of cerebellar-induced excitatory postsynaptic potentials and antidromic invasion of neurons on stimulation of different parietal cortex efferent projections (corricocortical, corticopontine, corticorubral) has been obtained. A similar correlation has been found between the latencies of excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked on stimulation of one of the cerebellar nuclei and latencies of antidromic invasion induced on stimulation of all studied parietal cortex efferent systems. Feedforward and feedback mechanisms in the input-output organization of parietal association cortex have been discussed. (C) 1997 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.