Heterogeneity of Purkinje cell simple spike-complex spike interactions: zebrin- and non-zebrin-related variations.

Key Points: Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) generate two types of action potentials, simple and complex spikes. Although they are generated by distinct mechanisms, interactions between the two spike types exist. Zebrin staining produces alternating positive and negative stripes of PCs across most of the cerebellar cortex.

Modulation of Purkinje cell complex spike waveform by synchrony levels in the olivocerebellar system.

Purkinje cells (PCs) generate complex spikes (CSs) when activated by the olivocerebellar system. Unlike most spikes, the CS waveform is highly variable, with the number, amplitude, and timing of the spikelets that comprise it varying with each occurrence. This variability suggests that CS waveform could be an important control parameter of olivocerebellar activity.

Systematic regional variations in Purkinje cell spiking patterns.

In contrast to the uniform anatomy of the cerebellar cortex, molecular and physiological studies indicate that significant differences exist between cortical regions, suggesting that the spiking activity of Purkinje cells (PCs) in different regions could also show distinct characteristics. To investigate this possibility we obtained extracellular recordings from PCs in different zebrin bands in crus IIa and vermis lobules VIII and IX in anesthetized rats in order to compare PC firing characteristics between zebrin positive (Z+) and negative (Z-) bands. In addition, we analyzed recordings from PCs in the A2 and C1 zones of several lobules in the posterior lobe, which largely contain Z+ and Z- PCs, respectively.

Local changes in the excitability of the cerebellar cortex produce spatially restricted changes in complex spike synchrony.

Complex spike (CS) synchrony patterns are modulated by the release of GABA within the inferior olive (IO). The GABAergic projection to most of the IO arises from the cerebellar nuclei, which are themselves subject to strong inhibitory control by Purkinje cells in the overlying cortex. Moreover, the connections between the IO and cerebellum are precisely aligned, raising the possibility that each cortical region controls its own CS synchrony distribution.

Altered olivocerebellar activity patterns in the connexin36 knockout mouse.

The inferior olive (IO) has among the highest densities of neuronal gap junctions in the nervous system. These gap junctions are proposed to be the underlying mechanism for generating synchronous Purkinje cell complex spike (CS) activity. Gap junctions between neurons are formed mostly by connexin36 proteins.

Relationship of complex spike synchrony bands and climbing fiber projection determined by reference to aldolase C compartments in crus IIa of the rat cerebellar cortex.

Synchronous complex spike (CS) activity occurs most often among cerebellar Purkinje cells located in a narrow longitudinal (parasagittal) strip of cortex (synchrony band). The relationship of the anatomical organization of the olivocerebellar projection to these synchrony bands has not been investigated in detail. Thus, we studied this relationship by using the aldolase C (zebrin II) expression pattern, another landmark for the cerebellar longitudinal organization, as a reference frame in rat crus IIa.

Inferior olive oscillations gate transmission of motor cortical activity to the cerebellum.

Inferior olivary (IO) neurons display spontaneous oscillatory activity, yet the importance of these oscillations for shaping the responses of this system to its afferents is uncertain. We used multiple electrode recording of crus 2a Purkinje cell complex spikes (CSs) in ketamine-xylazine-anesthetized rats to investigate olivocerebellar responses to activation of motor cortico-olivary pathways. Trains of electrical stimuli were applied to the motor cortex at frequencies between 4 and 30 Hz.

Glutamate-dependent inhibition of dopamine release in striatum is mediated by a new diffusible messenger, H2O2.

How glutamate regulates dopamine (DA) release in striatum has been a controversial issue. Here, we resolve this by showing that glutamate, acting at AMPA receptors, inhibits DA release by a nonclassic mechanism mediated by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Moreover, we show that GABA(A)-receptor activation opposes this process, thereby enhancing DA release.