AN OSCILLOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE CEREBELLO-CEREBRAL RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

Using the isolated encephalon of the cat, cortical potentials are led off by 1 or 2 pairs of electrodes placed directly upon the cortex and recorded after amplification by the Matthews or Dubois oscillograph. Excitation of the cerebellar hemispheres by faradic current from an inductorium markedly increases the amplitude and frequency of the cortical action potentials from the motor areas of the cat. Section of the superior cerebellar peduncle abolishes the response from the contralateral motor cortex but a slight change in the potentials of the ipsilateral motor cortex may still be elicited. These expts. suggest that the cerebellum, especially the neocerebellum, exerts a stimulating influence upon the cerebral cortex which may be the mechanism through which the cerebellum normally maintains a coordinating influence upon volitional movement.