Bifurcating projections from the cerebellar fastigial neurons to the thalamic suprageniculate nucleus and to the superior colliculus

A double-labeling fluorescence microscopic study was performed on the mesencephalic and thalamic distribution of fastigial efferents. Anesthetized cats were injected with 2% fast blue into the suprageniculate nucleus and with 0.5% nuclear yellow into the superior colliculus. Analysis of serial sections through the cerebellar fastigial nucleus revealed that 25% of the neurons projecting to the superior colliculus and 10% of those projecting to the thalamus were double labeled. The results suggest that bifurcating fastigial fibers to the mesencephalon and to the visual thalamus may play a role in cerebellar visual control. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.