The Cerebellum: Beyond Motor Control

The cerebellum has historically been viewed as associated with motor functioning, particularly coordination, balance, and motor predictive regulation. Research has increasingly demonstrated the role of the cerebellum in many non-motor aspects of functioning, including cognition, behavioral regulation, and emotional functioning. Initial work in this area came from observations of individuals who demonstrated deficits in non-motor functioning following lesions exclusively impacting cerebellar structures. Subsequent investigations with non-invasive in vivo procedures have illustrated the role of the cerebellum in non-motoric functioning. Within in this presentation, we will briefly cover the structure of the cerebellum, and historical understanding of its functions. Emphasis will then be placed on recent findings regarding the role of the cerebellum in aspects of cognition (attention, memory, and language processing) as well as emotional regulation / behavioral regulation. Clinical implications of cerebellar dysregulation will be discussed in terms of cerebellar-specific injury or insult, as well as neuropsychiatric disorders. Learning objectives: Attendees of this presentation will be able to: 1) Describe the structure of the cerebellum and the interconnections to other aspects of the central nervous system. 2) Identify the traditional role of the cerebellum in terms of motor coordination and control. 3) Summarize more recent research involving cognitive and emotional functions associated with the cerebellum. 4) Identify potential deficits of motor, cognitive, and emotional/behavioral functioning which may arise from cerebellar damage or neurodegeneration.