Exam 3 Week 12 pp 10 cerebellum & motor learning

Question 1

How does Cerebellum influence Visceromotor Functions?

Answer 1

• Hypothalamic projections to the cerebellum.
• Cerebellar nuclei send a crossed projection to the hypothalamus via the superior cerebellar peduncle.
• Reciprocal connections- the cerebellum may receive visceral input and influence neurons that control visceral functions

Question 2

Visceral deficits with cerebellar damage

Answer 2

Decrease in heart rate and blood pressure
Changes in vascular resistance
Changes in pupil diameter

Question 3

Why is it difficult to separate the effects of cerebellar dysfunction on motor learning from those related to motor performance?

Answer 3

• Effects are somewhat dependent on the type of behavior being learned
• Appears to be involved in different aspects of the learning process of motor behaviors (i.e., acquisition, consolidation, and memory storage of movement patterns)

Question 4

What structure Plays a very critical role in the learning of relatively simple reflexive motor behaviors?

Answer 4

cerebellum

Question 5

Who is Moses’s favorite basketball player?

Answer 5

Kobe Bryant

Question 6

List some relatively simple reflexive motor behaviors the cerebellum plays a role in

Answer 6

-Adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex
-Classical (Pavlovian) conditioning of reflexes evoked by aversive stimuli
Eye-blink
Withdrawal reflexes

Question 7

True or False: New motor skills can be learned with cerebellar dysfunction

Answer 7

True

Question 8

How does Cerebellar dysfunction affect learning of voluntary, complex motor skills?

Answer 8

1. a decrease in the quality & consistency of the learned behaviors
2. a slowing of the rate of motor learning

Question 9

When is Cerebellar nuclei most active during motor learning?

Answer 9

when first learning to perform the task correctly and consistently on successive trials

Question 10

When is Cerebellar nuclei least active during motor learning?

Answer 10

already learned movement or one where skill is already demonstrated

Question 11

True or False: There is evidence the cerebellum is involved with storage of learned of voluntary, complex motor skills

Answer 11

False.

Patients with cerebellar damage can often reproduce already learned skills.

Question 12

Where is the storage of learned of voluntary, complex motor skills?

Answer 12

likely in the supplementary motor cortex

Question 13

What does the cerebellum likely provide storage for?

Answer 13

long term suppression of learned adaptation of reflexes, such as VOR (vestibulo-ocular reflex)
necessary for storage or activation of storage

(There is evidence of long term suppression of learned adaptation of reflexes (such as VOR) with cerebellar damage so

1. Either cerebellum is either a storage site
2. Or cerebellum is necessary for activation of storage)

Question 14

Connections and role of Archicerebellum (vestibulocerebellum)

Answer 14

• Midline – flocculonodular lobe
• Connections thru fastigial nucleus
• Highly interconnected with vestibular & reticular nuclei
• Roles in VOR, posture, balance & equilibrium

Question 15

Connections and role of Paleocerebellum (spinocerebellum)

Answer 15

• Intermediate – vermis & paravermal areas
• Connections thru fastigial & interposed (globose & emboliform) nuclei
• Interconnected with spinal cord and brainstem
• Coordination of reciprocal contraction of agonists and antagonists in motor activities

Question 16

Connections and role of Neurocerebellum (Pontocerebellum)

Answer 16

• Most lateral – lateral cerebral hemispheres
• Associated with Dentate Nucleus
• Substantial inputs from cerebral cortex and outputs to motor cortex via VA/VL thalamus and circuit back into cerebellum via inferior olivary nucleus
• Functions in coordination of sequential motor activities initiated by cerebral cortex

Question 17

Functions of the cerebellum (7)

Answer 17

1. Anticipatory programming of agonist and antagonist to maintain posture & balance during rapid movements
2. Comparison of plan of movement with the actual position of the limbs with correction if errors
3. Movement precision
4. Preprogramming of ballistic movements
5. Planning and timing of complex sequential movements
6. Integration of visual & proprioceptive information to execute planned movements
7. Consolidation of motor memory but not storage

Question 18

Two possible functions of cerebellum

Answer 18

1. Possible coordination of some visceral actions

2. Possible role in emotional & cognitive function

Question 19

How does cerebellum maintain posture & balance during rapid movements?

Answer 19

via outputs to vestibular nuclei & reticular formation

Question 20

How does cerebellum make comparison of plan of movement with the actual position of the limbs?

Answer 20

input from cerebral cortex and feedback from spinocerebellar pathways

Question 21

How does cerebellum correct errors in movement

Answer 21

if errors via outputs to cerebral cortex and red nucleus