On the mechanisms of inferior olivary signalling : Timing, scaled impact and plasticity mechanisms exerted by the olivary spike

The inferior olive is regarded to be able to dictate activity in the cerebellum. Its spiking activity comprises the elusive complex spikes. In this dissertation we have looked into different putative roles of the complex spike. We have looked into a differential effect of the single complex spike based on its waveform (chapter one). The second chapter is on rhythmic firing of the complex spikes and whether such rhythmicity induces time conditional spiking to sensory stimulation. In the third chapter we have been looking into plasticity mechanisms influencing simple spike firing in the Purkinje neurons that are under controll of the complex spike activity patterns. In the fourth chapter we have been using calcium imaging to look at activity in multiple climbing fibers simultaneously. We tested whether climbing fibers responsive to different sensory modalities are anatomically organized in the cerebellar cortex.