Effects of red nucleus lesions on forelimb movements in the cat.

The effects of uni- and bilateral lesions of the red nucleus on the ability to retrieve food with a forepaw from food wells of different shape were analyzed. Movements which required the use of distal muscles, e.g. retrieving food from narrow horizontal and vertical tubes, were more affected than movements primarily involving more proximal muscles. A decrease in the digital skill occurred during at least 4 months after the surgery, even in the case of subtotal lesions of the red nucleus. The effects of uni- and bilateral rubral lesions appeared to be essentially similar.