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Chapter 3 - The Role of the Cerebellum

from Section 1: - Basic Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2025

By
Tom J. H. Ruigrok
Edited by
Erik Ch. Wolters  and
Christian R. Baumann
Erik Ch. Wolters
Affiliation:
Universität Zürich
Christian R. Baumann
Affiliation:
Universität Zürich
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Summary

This chapter provides an overview of the basic features of the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy, physiology and potential functioning of the human cerebellum. Apart from its certain role in movement control by coordinating complex movements, additional hypotheses on the role of the cerebellum in adapting, conditioning and learning, or automating, movements are described. Views that portray the cerebellum as a timing device or as a structure that serves to optimize the quality of sensory input are also mentioned. As the cerebellum not only participates in movement control, understanding and appreciating its functioning may also explain its role in cognition, emotion, and autonomic functions. Finally, cerebellar disorders and clinical manifestations of cerebellar dysfunction in movement control are discussed.

Keywords

Cerebellumcerebellar nucleicerebellar functioncerebellar dysfunctionPurkinje cellscerebellar lobulescomplex spikesinferior oliveclimbing fibersmossy fibers
Type
Chapter
Information
International Compendium of Movement Disorders , pp. 35 - 52
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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