A revisitation of EEG studies derived experimentally from the cerebellum confirms the predominance of ultrafast activities but also shows various degrees of underlying slower frequencies (from the beta down to the delta range).
Earlier personal work was based upon recording from the human cerebellum (and especially from fastigial and dentate nucleus) in connection with therapeutic cerebellar electrical stimulation. These patients suffered from intractable seizures (advanced cases of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). Naturally, our recording technique in 1974 excluded the ultrafast range above 80/sec but failed to show activities in the upper beta range. In these cases, the severity of the seizure disorder caused structural impairment and ictal activity invaded the cerebellum.
The electrocerebellogram is still insufficiently understood. An attempt at an analysis of known facts is being made. Further research in this field is needed.
AdrianED. Discharge frequencies in cerebral and cerebellar cortex. J Physiol (London)1935;83:32P–33P. Abstract.
2.
FoersterOAltenburgerH.Elektrobiologische Vorgaenge an der menschlichen Hirnrinde. Dtsch Z Nervenheilk1935;135:277–288.
3.
SpiegelES. Comparative study of the thalamic, cerebral and cerebellar potentials. Amer J Physiol1937;118:569–579.
4.
DowRS. The electrical activity of the cerebellum and its functional significance. J Physiol (London)1938;94:67–86.
5.
Ten CateJWiggersK.On the occurrence of slow waves in the electrocerebellogram. Arch Neerland Physiol de I'Homme et des Animaux1942;26:423–425.
6.
BremerF.Cerebral and cerebellar potentials. Phyisol Rev1958;38:357–388.
7.
NiedermeyerEUematsuS.Electroencephalographic recordings from deep cerebellar structures in patients with uncontrolled seizures. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1974;37:355–365.
8.
CookePMSniderRS. Some cerebellar influences on electrically-induced cerebral seizures. Epilepsia (Boston)1955;4:19–28.
9.
DowRSFernandez-GuardiolaAManniE.The influence of the cerebellum on experimental epilepsy. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1962; 14; 383–398.
10.
DowRS. Extrinsic regulatory mechanisms of seizure activity. Epilepsia (Amst)1965;6:122–140.
11.
MutaniRBergaminiLDoriguzziT.Experimental evidence of an extrarhinencephalic control of the activity of the cobalt rhinencephalic epileptogenic focus. Epilepsia (Amst)1969;10:351–362.
12.
HuttonJTFrostJDJrFosterJ.The influence of the cerebellum of cat penicillin epilepsy. Epilepsia (Amst)1972;13:401–408.
13.
BabbTLMichellAGJrCrandallPH. Fastigiobulbar and dentatothalamic influences on cobalt epilepsy in the cat. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1974;34:141–154.
14.
CooperISCrighelEAminI.Clinical and physiological effects of stimulation of the palaeocerebellum in humans. J Amer Geront Soc1973;21:40–43.
15.
NiedermeyerE.Electrophysiology of the frontal lobe. Clin Electroencephalogr2003;34:5–12.
16.
RogerJPayanHSoulayrolR.Manifestations cérébelleuses et lésions cérébelleuses chez les épileptiques. Rev Neurol1960;103:410–430.
17.
RadermeckerJGuazziGCTogaMPayanH.Les lésions cérébrales en rapport avec les crises épileptiques graves prolongées et notamment avec les états de mal chez I'homme. In: GastautHRogerJLobH, (eds). Les États de Mal Épileptiques. Paris; Masson; 1967: 287–325.
18.
De BiaseGGuaraldiGP. Sulle necrosi neuronali elettive in corse di epilessia: Atrofia del cervelletto e sindrome di Lennox: Prima osservazione anatomo-clinica della letteratura. Arch Vecchi Anat Pat1970;56:1–39.
19.
MagounHWHareWKRansonSW. Electrical stimulation of the anterior of the cerebellum in the monkey. Amer J Physiol1935;112:329–339.
20.
ClarkSL. A prolonged after-effect from electrical stimulation of the cerebellar cortex in unanesthetized cats. Science1937;86:377–379.
21.
SniderRSCookePM. Cerebellar activity in relation to the electroencephalogram before, during and after seizures states. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol1953; (suppl 3): 78. Abstract.
22.
JungR.Hirnelektrische Untersuchungen ueber den Elektrokrampf: Die Erregungsablaeufe in Corticalen und Subcorticalen Hirnregionen bei Katze und Hund. Arch Psychiat Nervenkr1949;183:206–244.
NiedermeyerE.Remarques à propos de la pathophysiologie de l'état de mal. Rev Neurol1960;102:682–684.
25.
FaethWHWalkerAEAndyOJ. Propagation of cortical and subcortical epileptic discharge. Epilepsia (Boston)1956;3:37–48.
26.
UdvarhelyiGBWalkerAE. Dissemination of acute focal seizures in the monkey. I. From cortical foci. Arch Neurol1965;4: 333–356.
27.
WalkerAE. The propagation of epileptic discharge. In: NiedermeyerE (ed). Epilepsy, Current Views on Theory, Diagnosis and Therapy of Epilepsy. Basel; Karger, 1970: 13–28.
28.
EcclesJCItoMSzentagothaiJ.The Cerebellum as Neuronal MacHine. Berlin; Springer; 1967.
