The Journal of comparative neurology
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Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been implicated by both anatomical and physiological techniques as a potential cerebellar transmitter or modulator. In the present experiment, with the aid of immunohistochemistry, we have described specific cerebellar afferent pathways in the rabbit in which CRF is located. CRF-immunoreactive climbing fibers were present in the molecular layer throughout the cerebellum, but especially in lobules 8-9a. ⋯ HRP injections into the flocculus double labeled more CRF-immunoreactive neurons in the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi than in the vestibular nuclei. HRP injections into either the posterior vermis or flocculus double labeled CRF-immunoreactive neurons in the paramedian reticular nucleus, nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis, and raphé nuclei. These data suggest that CRF may play an important role in vestibularly related functions of the cerebellum.