Cortical potentials preceding voluntary finger movement in patients with focal cerebellar lesion

To elucidate influences of the dentate nucleus on the generation of the related cortical potentials (MRCPs) preceding voluntary movement, Bereitschaftspotential (BP) and negative slope (NS).

MRCPs preceding self-paced voluntary finger movement were recorded in 5 cases with localized cerebellar lesions due to stroke or tumor. Comparing 3 of them involving the dentate nucleus and 2 others sparing it, as judged from CT or MRI findings.

BP and NS preceding voluntary finger movement ipsilateral to the lesion were absent or markedly reduced in amplitude in those 3 cases with the dentate nucleus lesion, whereas those negative components were present in the 2 cases with no evidence of dentate lesion.

The dentate nucleus has a facilitatory effect on the generation of BP and NS.