Connections between the cerebellar nucleus interpositus and the vestibular nuclei: an anatomical study in the rat.

Interposito-vestibular connections were analysed, using the anterograde and retrograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine. The interposito-vestibular projections mainly arise from medial portions of the cerebellar nuclei interpositi anterior (NIA) and posterior (NIP), and reach each of the main vestibular nuclei, ipsilaterally. The highest density of projections is found throughout nucleus vestibularis lateralis. Fibres also reach the peripheral part of nucleus superior, the caudal part of nucleus inferior, and the lateral part of nucleus medialis. Some fibres also reach groups I, x and f. Contralaterally, few fibres reach zones of the vestibular nuclei symmetric to the ipsilateral projection. A small, reciprocal, vestibulo-interposed projection is sent from the vestibular nuclei onto NIA-NIP. Possible influences of the interposito-vestibular projections upon the major targets of the vestibular nuclei, spinal motoneurones and oculomotor neurones, are discussed.