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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Demetris Soteropoulos, Professor Stuart BakerORCiD
The cerebellum is normally assumed to represent ipsilateral movements. We tested this by making microelectrode penetrations into the deep cerebellar nuclei (mainly nucleus interpositus) of monkeys trained to perform a reach and grasp task with either hand. Following weak single electrical stimuli, many sites produced clear bilateral facilitation of multiple forelimb muscles. The short onset latencies, which were similar for each side, suggested that at least some of the muscle responses were mediated by descending tracts originating in the brainstem, rather than via the cerebral cortex. Additionally, cerebellar neurones modulated their discharge with both ipsilateral and contralateral movements. This was so, even when we carefully excluded contralateral trials with evidence of electromyogram modulation on the ipsilateral side. We conclude that the deep cerebellar nuclei have a bilateral movement representation, and relatively direct, powerful access to limb muscles on both sides of the body. This places the cerebellum in an ideal position to coordinate bilateral movements. © 2008 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2008 The Physiological Society.
Author(s): Soteropoulos D, Baker S
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Physiology
Year: 2008
Volume: 586
Issue: 4
Pages: 1117-1136
ISSN (print): 0022-3751
ISSN (electronic): 1469-7793
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2007.144220
DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.144220
PubMed id: 18187463
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