Antidromal and synaptic activation of neurons of the associative parietal cortex of the cat brain elicited by spike activity from the intrinsic nuclei of the pons.

Acute experiments were performed on cats with intracellular recording of efferent and unidentified neurons of the anterior suprasylvian and posterior lateral gyri of the parietal cortex, to study the antidromal and synaptic responses to stimulation of the lateral and medial groups of intrinsic nuclei of the pons. Oligo- and polysynaptic components were detected, along with complex EPSP due to convergence of axons from fast- and slow-conducting neurons. Antidromal and synaptic responses were demonstrated in the same parietal cortex neurons, demonstrating a double connection between the intrinsic nuclei of the pons and the associated parietal cortex. The possible pathways of these connections are discussed, along with their features and importance in the functioning of pontocortical connections.