Cognitive-Affective Functions of the Cerebellum

Abstract

The cerebellum, traditionally associated with motor coordination and balance, also plays a crucial role in various aspects of higher-order function and dysfunction. Emerging research has shed light on the cerebellum's broader contributions to cognitive, emotional, and reward processes. The cerebellum's influence on autonomic function further highlights its significance in regulating motivational and emotional states. Perturbations in cerebellar development and function have been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An increasing appreciation for neuropsychiatric symptoms that arise from cerebellar dysfunction underscores the importance of elucidating the circuit mechanisms that underlie complex interactions between the cerebellum and other brain regions for a comprehensive understanding of complex behavior. By briefly discussing new advances in mapping cerebellar function in affective, cognitive, autonomic, and social processing and reviewing the role of the cerebellum in neuropathology beyond the motor domain, this Mini-Symposium review aims to provide a broad perspective of cerebellar intersections with the limbic brain in health and disease.

The Role of Cerebellar Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity, and Perineuronal Nets in Eyeblink Conditioning

“…Tsien reflected on the function of the PNN by suggesting long-term memories were stored in the pattern made by these holes [ 246 ]. In a recent review, Rudolph et al noted PNNs restrict new synapses from being produced and old synapses from being pruned, which is thought to regulate neuronal plasticity [ 247 ]. This view was included among those described by Celio et al, who also provided evidence that the PNN may maintain cellular relationships, concentrate growth factors, generate an ion-buffering microenvironment, prevent extracellular space occlusion, and form a link with the intracellular cytoskeleton [ 205 ].…”

Mapping proteomic composition of excitatory postsynaptic sites in the cerebellar cortex

“…The cerebellum has long been known for its role in fine motor control and balance. A more recent appreciation has developed for broader cerebellar contributions to emotion and cognition and cerebellar dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder ( Van Overwalle et al, 2020 ; van der Heijden et al, 2021 ; Rudolph et al, 2023 ). Anatomical connectivity within cerebellar circuits is well understood, particularly for the cerebellar cortex ( Figure 1A ).…”

Epigenetics of Genes Preferentially Expressed in Dissimilar Cell Populations: Myoblasts and Cerebellum

“…During a recent analysis of genes associated with myoblast DMRs, we found that ZNF556 (Zinc Finger Protein 556) has a strong preference for expression in both myoblasts and cerebellum, as described below. In a previous study of myoblast epigenetics using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) profiles, we identified CDH15 (Cadherin 15), as a gene also displaying myoblast and cerebellum-specific expression [13]. Cerebellum is critical for motor coordination, cognition, and emotional processes [14].…”

“…Cerebellum is critical for motor coordination, cognition, and emotional processes [14]. It is quite distinct morphologically and functionally from other brain regions and is important in neuromuscular disease [15]. Its transcriptome is strikingly distinct from those of all the other brain regions [16].…”