The mystery of the cerebellum: clues from experimental and clinical observations

Charlotte Lawrenson, Martin Bares, Anita Kamondi, Andrea Kovács, Bridget Lumb, Richard Apps, Pavel Filip, Mario Manto

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article (Academic Journal)peer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)
381 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The cerebellum has a striking homogeneous cytoarchitecture and participates in both motor and non-motor domains. Indeed, a wealth of evidence from neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, neuroimaging and clinical studies has substantially modified our traditional view on the cerebellum as a sole calibrator of sensorimotor functions. Despite the major advances of the last four decades of cerebellar research, outstanding questions remain regarding the mechanisms and functions of the cerebellar circuitry. We discuss major clues from both experimental and clinical studies, with a focus on rodent models in fear behaviour, on the role of the cerebellum in motor control, on cerebellar contributions to timing and our appraisal of the pathogenesis of cerebellar tremor. The cerebellum occupies a central position to optimize behaviour, motor control, timing procedures and to prevent body oscillations. More than ever, the cerebellum is now considered as a major actor on the scene of disorders affecting the CNS, extending from motor disorders to cognitive and affective disorders. However, the respective roles of the mossy fibres, the climbing fibres, cerebellar cortex and cerebellar nuclei remains unknown or partially known at best in most cases. Research is now moving towards a better definition of the roles of cerebellar modules and microzones. This will impact on the management of cerebellar disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Article number8
Number of pages11
JournalCerebellum and Ataxias
Volume5
Early online date29 Mar 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2018

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