Cerebellar contributions to spatial memory

Tomlinson, Simon P.; Davis, Nick J.; Morgan, Helen M.; Bracewell, R. Martyn

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2014.06.057

Cited by 39 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…More studies are needed to clarify cerebellar involvement in semantic memory and cognitive functioning in general. Future studies might focus on lateralization 90 and asymmetries (e.g., verbal vs. non-verbal 91,92 ) of memory processes performed by the cerebellum as well as investigate cerebellar involvement in semantic memory from a chronometric point of view.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A causal role for the cerebellum in semantic integration: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

Gatti

Vugt

Vecchi

2020

Sci Rep

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Mounting evidence suggests that the cerebellum, a structure previously linked to motor function, is also involved in a wide range of non-motor processes. It has been proposed that the cerebellum performs the same computational processes in both motor and non-motor domains. Within motor functions, the cerebellum is involved in the integration of signals from multiple systems. Here we hypothesized that cerebellum may be involved in integration within semantic memory as well. Specifically, understanding a noun-adjective combination (e.g. red apple) requires combining the meaning of the adjective (red) with the meaning of the noun (apple). In two experiments, participants were asked to judge whether noun-adjective word-pairs were semantically related (e.g., red apple) or not (e.g., lucky milk) while online transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was administered over the right cerebellum or over a control site (vertex in Experiment 1 and visual cortex in Experiment 2). Cerebellar TMS caused a decrease in participants’ accuracy for related word-pairs while accuracy for unrelated stimuli was not affected. A third experiment using a control task where subjects compared pairs of random letters showed no effect of TMS. Taken together these results indicate that the right cerebellum is involved specifically in the processing of semantically related stimuli. These results are consistent with theories that proposed the existence of a unified cerebellar function within motor and non-motor domains, as well with recent perspectives about cerebellar involvement in semantic memory and predictive cognition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A causal role for the cerebellum in semantic integration: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

Gatti

Vugt

Vecchi

2020

Sci Rep

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“…Additionally, the right cerebellum regulates key frontal associative areas of the left cerebral hemisphere (an area dominant for language functions) via the thalamus [31,34]. Again, contralateral connections of the left cerebellum to the right cerebral hemisphere, an area important in spatial tasks, support this finding [35]. Of course, this differentiation between right and left lateral posterior cerebellar function is not so clear-cut.…”

Section: General Anatomy and Function Of The Cerebellummentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurodegeneration and the Cerebellum

Samson

Claassen²

2017

Neurodegener Dis

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Background: The cerebellum modulates diverse neuronal networks, regulating motor, cognitive, behavioral, and limbic circuits. Structural and functional changes to the cerebellum that occur with neurodegenerative conditions have not been systematically reviewed. Objective: We synthesize the current understanding of cerebellar somatotopy and function with previously described cerebellar changes in neurodegenerative diseases not associated with primary cerebellar pathology. Methods: A thorough literature review defines the role of the cerebellum in normal function and neurodegeneration, and we additionally provide exemplar cases of cerebellar dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. Results: Comparisons between normal function and neurodegenerative disease states emphasize how normal organization of the cerebellum is altered in neurodegenerative disease states. We illustrate key anatomic structures using novel cerebellar segmentation tools and images. Conclusions: Altered cerebellum in neurodegeneration can provide important diagnostic and pathologic insights into both predicting disease progression and network dysfunction.

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“…A previous neuroimaging study has demonstrated that cognitive functions are associated with the posterior lobe of the cerebellum ( 6 ). Damage to the posterior lobe of the cerebellum has been revealed to be associated with impairment of spatial working memory, and transgenic mice with cerebellar dysfunction have been demonstrated to exhibit spatial navigation deficit ( 7 , 8 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of treadmill exercise on spatial navigation impairment associated with cerebellar Purkinje cell loss following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

et al. 2018

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In addition to roles in motor coordination, the cerebellum is also associated with cognitive function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of treadmill exercise on spatial navigation deficit induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). Furthermore, whether decreased loss of Purkinje cells, which contain the calcium-binding protein in the posterior lobe of the cerebellum, attenuates the spatial navigation deficit induced by CCH was also investigated. Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham group, bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO) group and a BCCAO + exercise (Ex) group. The rats in the BCCAO + Ex group ran on a treadmill for 30 min once a day for 8 weeks, starting at 4 weeks post-birth. CCH was induced by performing BCCAO at 12 weeks post-birth. The Morris water maze test was performed to determine the spatial navigation function of the rats. To investigate the histological features of the cerebellum in all of the experimental groups post-treatment, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, as well as immunohistochemical analysis revealing the expression of calbindin, parvalbumin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 and caspase-3, was performed. The results of the present study revealed that treadmill exercise improved spatial navigation, decreased the expression of reactive astrocytes and microglial cells, and decreased apoptotic rates in the cerebellar vermis post-CCH. Treadmill exercise also attenuated the loss of Purkinje cells following CCH. The number of Purkinje cells was revealed to be negatively correlated with spatial navigation performance. These results indicate that treadmill exercise may attenuate spatial navigation impairment via inhibition of Purkinje cell loss in the posterior lobe of the cerebellum following CCH. Therefore, treadmill exercise may represent a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with spatial navigation impairment following CCH.

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Cerebellar contributions to spatial memory

Cited by 39 publications

References 32 publications

A causal role for the cerebellum in semantic integration: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

A causal role for the cerebellum in semantic integration: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

Neurodegeneration and the Cerebellum

Effect of treadmill exercise on spatial navigation impairment associated with cerebellar Purkinje cell loss following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

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