Cerebellar regulation of phonation in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

Five rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were trained to emit a "coo" vocalization with a duration of at least 500 msec. After stable performance was achieved cerebellar lesions were introduced, and various pre- and postlesion measures of phonation and of laryngeal EMG activity were compared to assess the effects of the lesions. The phonatory changes were interpreted with respect to possible laryngeal or respiratory modifications. The relation between fundamental frequency and intensity of phonation was changed in some animals, with no obvious alterations in either fundamental frequency or intensity considered separately. Intensity of phonation was decreased while duration was prolonged in two animals. Fundamental frequency of phonation was also affected in some animals. Reliable laryngeal EMG was obtained in two animals and was affected by cerebellar lesions. These results indicate that normal cerebellar function is involved in the control of fundamental frequency, intensity, duration, and the coordination of the laryngeal and respiratory systems for the control of phonation.