Clinical studies of the movement-related cortical potential (MP) and the relationship between the dentatorubrothalamic pathway and readiness potential (RP)

In order to investigate the influence of basal ganglia and cerebellar involvement on the preparatory state of the cerebral cortex for voluntary movement, the cortical potential preceding finger movement was studied in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease and 20 patients with cerebellar ataxia. Readiness potential (RP) was abnormal in 90% of the Parkinson group and in 55% of the cerebellar ataxia group. The most frequent abnormality was a depressed amplitude and earlier onset of RP in both groups. The most remarkable finding in the present study was the complete absence of RP with dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica (presumed Ramsay Hunt syndrome) whereas normal RP was obtained with cerebellar cortical degeneration. In addition, RP was absent or severely depressed in patients with a unilateral vascular lesion of the midbrain (Benedikt's syndrome) and in patients with Parkinson's disease who underwent unilateral intermedioventral (Vim) thalamotomy. These facts suggest a possible important role of the dentatorubrothalamic or dentatothalamic pathway in the physiogenesis of RP.