The Cerebellum in Emotion Regulation: A Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study

Abstract

Several lines of evidence suggest that the cerebellum may play a role in the regulation of emotion. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that inhibition of cerebellar function using slow repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) would lead to increased negative mood as a result of impaired emotion regulation. In a randomized counterbalanced within-subjects design, 12 healthy young right-handed volunteers received 20 min of cerebellar, occipital, or sham 1 Hz rTMS on three separate days. Mood state inventories were acquired prior to and immediately after rTMS and after an emotion regulation task (ERT). In the ERT, participants were instructed to either look at aversive and neutral scenes, or to suppress the negative feelings experienced while watching aversive scenes during which the electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Results showing no changes in baseline-corrected mood were observed immediately after rTMS. However, significant increases in baseline-corrected negative mood following the ERT were reported after cerebellar rTMS exclusively. No effects on the EEG during the ERT were observed. These findings provide support for the view that the cerebellum is implicated in the regulation of emotion and mood, and concur with evidence of cerebellar abnormalities observed in disorders associated with emotion dysregulation. In order to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms involved, more research is needed.

The modulating effects of brain stimulation on emotion regulation and decision-making

“…Also, these studies show that rTMS applied to the cerebellum can affect mood in emotion regulation [68]. tDCS tDCS also has been applied to emotion regulation (Table 1).…”

“…However, the HF rTMS did not influence the cardiac orienting response to picture valence and arousal. Schutter and van Honk [68] studied cerebellar function related to emotion regulation using LF rTMS. They demonstrated that LF rTMS to the cerebellum increased negative mood after an emotion regulation task for aversive and neutral scenes, indicating the importance of the cerebellum in emotion regulation.…”

The Cognitive Face of Cerebellum; Implications for Extended Research

“…Evidence for the contribution of cerebellum to some emotional deficits which occurred in chronic alcoholics found in another study (45). Evidence for reduced emotion regulation following application of slow frequency rTMS to inhibit the cerebellar activity, has also been provided (46). Moreover, the altered cerebellar function during emotion processing and theory of mind, was suggested in a review of neuroimaging studies among patients with schizophrenia (47).…”

Cerebellar volume in patients with dementia

“…But there is clear evidence of its involvement in such functions as speech, memory, visuomotor processing, attention, and emotion. 10,43 These functions are mediated by afferent connections of the vermis such as vestibulocerebellum fibers, reticulocerebellum fibers, and spinalcerebellum tracts, and by efferent connections with the pons, medulla oblonga and reticular formation. 11,44 Some studies reported connections between the cerebellar vermis and the flocculonodular lobe to the midbrain and the limbic system that have led to the idea of a 'limbic cerebellum'.…”