抄録
We investigated a group of Purkinje cells modulating their spike discharging in relation with the transient changes of the blood pressure (BP) induced by electric stimulation of the defense areas in the hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray, in decerebrate rabbits. Purkinje cell discharges were either enhanced or depressed, starting 1-2 sec prior to the onset of BP changes. The BP-related Purkinje cells were located specifically in the folium p of the flocculus, the most dorsal part of the cerebellar flocculus. Local electric stimulation at the folium p evoked transient changes of BP, similar to that induced by the hypothalamic stimulation. We further investigated the structure of neuronal circuit around the folium p using elelctrophysiological and HRP tracing techniques. The results suggest that the flocculus folium p, whose functional involvement has so far been unknown, forms a novel cardiovascular module associated with the hypothalamus. [Jpn J Physiol 55 Suppl:S192 (2005)]
