The function of the human cerebellum studied by evoked potentials and motor reactions

The authors investigated the cerebellar function of patients with chronic implanted electrodes. The investigations were carried out using elicited compulsion events--evoked potentials and motor reactions--in different functional motor states, i.e., rest and contraction. The compulsion events are the result of motor control processes which eliminate the transient effect of stimuli. In connection with the cerebellum, these motor control processes in some ways mirror the function of the cerebellum. The evoked potentials recorded in the cerebellum have specific features and specific functional dependence as well. On stimulation of the cerebellum, the first effect on motor activity is always inhibitory. Altering the cerebellar function by high frequency stimulation appears to cause cerebellar symptoms such as hypotonia and ataxia.