THE EFFECTS OF ABLATION OF THE CORTICAL MOTOR FACE AREA IN MONKEYS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the macaque monkey ablation of the electrically excitable portion of the cortex giving rise to facial and lingual movements produces a severe contralateral paresis of the face and impaired movement of the tongue. Removal of area 6 lower part increases the disability. Bilateral ablation of the face motor areas gives rise to a more severe facial and lingual paresis and impaired vocalization. Such bilateral extirpations do not, however, abolish chewing, swallowing or blinking movements of the eyes, although these may be impaired for several days. The factors responsible for recovery of motility after ablation of the cortical motor and premotor areas are, in order of importance: remaining ipsilateral cortex of the motor or premotor face area; contralateral motor and premotor cortex of the face region; subcortical structures; other cortical areas, sensory, prefrontal, etc.