METHODS OF MOTOR-PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - APPLICATION TO A PRIMATE MODEL FOR BASAL GANGLIA PATHOLOGY

In studies on the motor impairments induced in monkeys by performing l esions of various kinds on the central nervous system, it is necessary to be able to exactly quantify the motor deficits. The battery of tes ts described in the present paper (simple and choice reaction-time pro cedures, goal-directed pointing movement, digital manipulation task) p rovide a systematic means of analysing the motor performances involvin g movement control. Central nervous dysfunction can be induced by eith er reversibly or permanently excluding specific structures. An example of the motor impairments observed after lesion of the substantia nigr a is given which provides an animal model for hemi-parkinsonism.