Electrical activity of red nucleus neurones investigated with intracellular microelectrodes

Summary Microelectrodes were inserted into the magnocellular portion of cat's red nucleus (RN), and some basic physiological properties of RN cells were examined by both extra- and intracellular recording. During stimulation of the rubrospinal fibres at the spinal segmental level, the RN cells were invaded antidromically, producing conspicuous field potentials within RN. The somatotopical distribution of RN cells was confirmed by comparing the field potentials induced from C₂ and L₁ levels. When recorded intracellularly, antidromic action potentials showed three-step configuration as those in motoneurones and were followed by a remarkable after-hyperpolarization. The conduction velocity along the rubrospinal fibres ranged from 41–123 m/sec, with the peak frequency at 91–100 m/sec. The membrane properties were examined in some RN cells by intracellular application of current steps. The total membrane resistance was 4 M on the average, and the membrane time constant 6 msec, respectively.Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were induced monosynaptically in RN cells by stimulation of the nucleus interpositus of the contralateral cerebellum. Their time course was analyzed in comparison with that of the potentials produced by current steps. Stimulation in the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus evoked monosynaptic EPSPs via the collaterals of the interpositus axons which innervate RN and thalamus commonly. It was further shown that impulses in cortico-rubral fibres produced EPSPs in RN cells. These cerebral-evoked EPSPs were characterized by much slower time courses than those from the nucleus interpositus.