Optogenetic stimulation of the cerebellar cortex in in vivo anesthetized mice

This project investigates the effect of optogenetic activation of the cerebellar cortex on deep cerebellar nuclei activity. It is known the Purkinje cells provide the sole output of the cerebellar cortex, inhibiting the deep cerebellar nuclei neurons. In this project, we recorded the responses of the fastigial nucleus to sensory tactile stimulation (air puffs on the whisker pad, upper lip, or lower lip). In this project, extracellular recordings of the spiking activity of single-units in the fastigial nucleus (FN) are performed using quartz-coated electrodes. The air puff stimulation is paired with optogenetic activation of the cerebellar molecular and Purkinje cell layers.