This project will describe quantitative and qualitative aspects of the organization of projections from the dorsal cap (DC) and ventrolateral outgrowth (VLO) of the principal olivary nucleus to both the cerebellar flocculus and nodulus and the vestibular nuclei in albino rabbits. This will yield a precise picture of the efferent organization of the DC-VLO and clarify structural features defined by these projections in the vestibulocerebellum and vestibular nuclei. A study with multiple retrograde labeling methods is designed to determine the relative numbers and distribution of DC-VLO cells that project (1) to the flocculus and either the medial or superior vestibular nucleus, (2) to the nodulus and either the medial or superior vestibular nucleus, (3) to the flocculus and nodulus and (4) to either one or all of the structures. A second set of experiments is designed to identify the course and pattern of termination of DC-VLO axons in the vestibulocerebellum and vestibular nuclei. Both anterograde degeneration and anterograde autoradiographic tracing methods will be employed. The tracing of anterograde degeneration after local chemical lesions of DC-VLO with 3-acetyl pyridine will demonstrate the course and morphology of axon terminals in the vestibular nuclei and cerebellar cortex; autoradiographic experiments using either [3H]-D-asparate or a cocktail of tritiated proline, leucine and fucose will provide corroborative evidence and eliminate the possibility of a fibers-of-passage problem from the injection micropipette in the degeneration experiments. The data will refine the description of structural features of the flocculus, nodulus and vestibular nuclei that are defined by DC-VLO projections. These experiments are also motivated by a need to determine if olivo-bestibular connections can be transected without damaging the main climbing fiber projections to the vestibulocerebellum. If surgical interruption is possible, this system can be used for a model for investigations of the physiological role of olivary collateral projections to deep cerebellar nuclei.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Modified Research Career Development Award (K04)
Project #
5K04NS000891-03
Application #
3074761
Study Section
Hearing Research Study Section (HAR)
Project Start
1984-07-01
Project End
1989-06-30
Budget Start
1986-07-01
Budget End
1987-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
129348186
City
Hershey
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
17033
Kincaid, R L; Balaban, C D; Billingsley, M L (1992) Regional and developmental expression of calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in rat brain. Adv Second Messenger Phosphoprotein Res 25:111-22
Balaban, C D; Ariel, M (1992) A ""beat-to-beat"" interval generator for optokinetic nystagmus. Biol Cybern 66:203-16
Balaban, C D; Severs, W B (1991) Toxic effects of somatostatin in the cerebellum and vestibular nuclei: multiple sites of action. Neurosci Res 12:140-50
Billingsley, M L; Polli, J W; Balaban, C D et al. (1990) Developmental expression of calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in rat brain. Brain Res Dev Brain Res 53:253-63
Balaban, C D; Billingsley, M L; Kincaid, R L (1989) Evidence for transsynaptic regulation of calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in cerebellar Purkinje cells. J Neurosci 9:2374-81
Balaban, C D; Starcevic, V P; Severs, W B (1989) Neuropeptide modulation of central vestibular circuits. Pharmacol Rev 41:53-90
Balaban, C D (1988) Distribution of inferior olivary projections to the vestibular nuclei of albino rabbits. Neuroscience 24:119-34
Balaban, C D; Henry, R T (1988) Zonal organization of olivo-nodulus projections in albino rabbits. Neurosci Res 5:409-23
Balaban, C D; Fredericks, D A; Wurpel, J N et al. (1988) Motor disturbances and neurotoxicity induced by centrally administered somatostatin and vasopressin in conscious rats: interactive effects of two neuropeptides. Brain Res 445:117-29
Balaban, C D; O'Callaghan, J P; Billingsley, M L (1988) Trimethyltin-induced neuronal damage in the rat brain: comparative studies using silver degeneration stains, immunocytochemistry and immunoassay for neuronotypic and gliotypic proteins. Neuroscience 26:337-61

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