Cerebellum

Cerebellar Signs

Key Cerebellar Functions
Comparison of intent and action (ie., errors) and generates corrective signals
Motor learning and adaptation
Motor cognition and general cognition
Plays a role in automating and optimizing behavior

Lecture Plan:
Structural and functional overview
Principal pathways into and out of the cerebellum
Experimental approaches to reveal:
Anticipatory control
Motor learning
Mental processes underlying movement control

Motor Hierarchy

Cerebellar Functional Anatomy

Slide 7

Cerebellar Anatomy

Input-output Organization

Cerebellar
Divisions

Nissl-stained section through cerebellar cortex

Cerebellar Cortex

Purkinje
neuron

Cerebellar Cortex

Cerebellar Cortex: activation by mossy fibers

Cerebellar Cortex: activation by climbing fibers

Inferior olivary nucleus: source of all climbing fibers

Cerebellar Cortex: Inhibitory interneurons

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Functional divisions

Medial & lateral systems

Intermediate
Cerebellum:
Corticospinal tract

Intermediate
Cerebellum :
Rubrospinal tract

Vermis

Lateral
Cerebellum

Floculo-nodular Lobe

Functions of the Cerebellum
Feed-forward or predictive motor control (nuts & bolts of skillful movements)
Motor learning/adaptation
Non-motor functions:
Active tactile exploration
Higher brain functions (cerebellar cognitive-affective syndrome)

Anticipatory control
Anticipating the motor consequences of an event
See stop light and brake
Predict baseball location during batting
Anticipating duck location in an video game
Cerebellum’s role:
Fairly low level routines
Correlations & associations
Implemented via lateral and medial pathways

Feed-Forward or Predictive Control

Feed-Forward or Predictive Control

Feed-Forward or Predictive Control

Motor
Learning

Non-motor Function

Cerebellar Motor Functions
Implemented via lateral and medial pathways, especially the corticospinal tract

Slide 35

Cerebellar Motor Functions
Implemented via lateral and medial pathways, especially the corticospinal tract
Incorporated into motor programs via frontal motor areas (SMA, premotor cortex…)

Slide 37

Cerebellar Motor Functions
Implemented via lateral and medial pathways, especially the corticospinal tract
Incorporated into motor programs via frontal motor areas (SMA, premotor cortex…)
Becomes part of motor strategy via prefrontal cortex

Slide 39

Slide 40

Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Disorder
Lesions of the posterior lobe and vermis

Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Disorder
Impairment of executive functions
Planning, verbal fluency, abstract reasoning
Difficulties with spatial cognition
Visuo-spatial organization, visual memory
Personality changes
Blunting of affect, inappropriate behaviors
Language disorders
Agrammatism

Slide 43

Conclusions
Cerebellar lesions produce
Incoordination & errors not weakness
Lose ability to anticipate errors
Lose ability to correct
Motor learning
Not just motor