Projection of the cerebellar dentate nucleus onto the frontal association cortex in monkeys.

Stimulation of the cerebellar dentate nucleus in monkeys elicited responses in the frontal association cortex (area 9) on the contralateral side to the stimulation, in addition to those in the motor (area 4) and premotor (area 6) cortices which were reported previously. The responses in the frontal association cortex were characterized by surface positive-deep negative field potentials in the cortex. They contrasted with surface negative-deep positive potentials in the motor and premotor cortices on the same dentate nucleus stimulation. In the rostral part of the premotor cortex (area 6) on the border of area 9, both types of responses were induced and admixed. The relay nucleus of the thalamus was suggested for the dentate-induced responses in the frontal association cortex.