[Clinical physiological effects of electrostimulation and destruction of the ventrolateral portions of the cerebellar dentate nuclei in different forms of motor pathology].

The effect of electrostimulation and destruction of the ventrolateral parts of the cerebellar dentate nuclei is described on the basis of 27 dentotomies performed on patients with different forms of motor pathology. The dento-cortical connections were studied by advancing electrodes to the cerebral and cerebellar cortex through trephination openings made in the postero-frontal-parasagittal area for ventriculography and in the occipital area for the insertion of a stereotaxic cannula. It was found that the principal test for operative identification of the ventro-oral parts of the dentate nucleus in electrostimulation are motor reactions and changes in the muscular tonus in the homolateral limbs and reactions of the cortex of the central and precentral areas of the cerebral hemispheres revealed by electrocorticography. The main clinical effect produced by the destruction of these parts of the dentate nuclei is diminution of the spastic component of muscular hypertonus; hardly any effect is caused on the rigidity component. Redistribution of muscular tonus is among the factors inducing postoperative changes in hyperkinesia.