The cerebellum uses sensory feedback and information about intended actions to ensure coordinated and smooth movements despite changing conditions. An analogy between the cerebellum and an orchestral conductor is elaborated. The cerebellum’s involvement in forming and executing motor memories is presented. Cerebellar circuits through the cerebellar cortex and deep nuclei and the dependence of cerebellar learning on climbing fiber input to Purkinje cells are briefly described. Sensory reafference and motor efference copy are defined and their roles in coordinating movement introduced. Cerebellar symptoms including ataxia, dysmetria and dysdiadochokinesia, are discussed and a possible model for dysmetria is considered. The specific inputs to and outputs from the vermis, paravermis, and lateral lobes are detailed in a description of canonical cerebellar loops. Finally, evidence that the cerebellum is involved in modulating nonmotor functions such as language, affect, social cognition, and visceral control is presented for the reader’s consideration.
Cerebellar Learning Properties Are Modulated by the CRF Receptor
