Task 3 Flashcards
The main function of the cerebellum
is to detect “motor errors” between an intended movement and the actual movement and reduce this error
Organization of cerebellum
Cerevrocerebellum
Spinocerebellum
Vestibulocerebellum
Cerebrocerebellum
lateral hemispheres
occupies latreal hemispjeres, receives input from many cortex areas
Regulates highly skilled movement (planning and execution of spatial and temporal sequences)
Planning of movement and sensory feedback of motor movements - Coordination of voluntary movements - Cognitive, emotional control -regulatiomn of highly skilled movement (planning& execution of complex temporarl& spatial sequences)
Spinocerebellum (Vermis)
only one that receives direct input from spinal cord
lateral part/ Paramedian zone : movement of distal muscles
Vermis ( median): movement of proximal muscles and eye movements
Regulates body and limb
movements and muscle
tone
Vestibulocerebellum(Flocular lobe)
It receives input from the vestibular nuclei and is concerned with the regulation of movements underlying posture and balance
Regulates balance, posture,
eye movements+ vestibulo+ occular reflex
Cerebellar peduncles
connections between the cerebellum and other parts of the nervous system
transverse pontine fibers.
The axons in the pontine nuclei are called
Superior cerebellar peduncle
efferent pathway from the deep cerebellar nuclei to the upper motor neurons in the superior colliculus and relay in the dorsal thalamus to finally terminate in M1 and pre-motor areas
Deep cerebelar nuclei => dorsal thalamus=> premotor& primary motor areas
Deep creberar nuclei=> superior colliculus
Middle cerebellar peduncle
afferent pathway to the cerebellum coming mostly from the contralateral pons (pontine nuclei), which receives input from many sources (including superior colliculus and almost all cortical areas
most areas of the cortex& superior colliculus0> cell bodies in pontine nuclei of pons =< transverse pontine fibers cross over via middle peduncle=> cerebellar cortex & deep nuclei
inferior cerebellar peduncle
smallest but most complex peduncle that contains multiple afferent and efferent pathways
afferent = axons from vestibular nuclei, spinal cord and brainstem tegmentum;
efferent = axons project to vestibular nuclei and reticular formation
The majority of the cerebellar input arises from
the primary and pre-motor cortices (frontal lobe), the primary and secondary somatic sensory cortices (anterior parietal) and the higher order visual regions (posterior parietal).
Cerebellum is modulated by
modulatory inputs from the inferior olive and the locus ceruleus in the brainstem -> nuclei participate in the learning and memory functions served by cerebellar circuitry.
Dentate nucleus (largest nucleus in humans
receives most input from cerebrocerebellum and project mostly to premotor and association cortices (planning volitional movement)
interposed nuclei
receive most input from spinocerebellum
and output to motor cortex& Brainstem
Vestibular nuclei
Receeives from Vestibular cerebeluum and projects Lower motor neurons in spinal cord & brainstem ( balance & vestibuloclar regulation)
Fastigal nuclei
receives spino cerebellum
Output: Motor cortex
Closed loops
run parallel to open loops that receive input from multiple cortical areas and funnel output back to upper motor neurons in specific regions of motor and pre-motor cortices
Spinocerebellar pathways
project to the upper motor neurons (execution of movement).
Fastigal nuclei (underlie vermis near the midline of cerebellum)
project via inferior cerebellar peduncle to nuclei of reticular formation and vestibular complex give rise to medial tracts governing the axial and proximal limb musculature
Interposed nuclei
project via superior cerebellar peduncle to thalamic circuits that interact with motor regions in the frontal lobe concerned with volitional movements of the limbs
The thalamic nuclei that receive projections from dentate and interposed nuclei are segregated in 2 subdivisions
oral (anterior) part of the posterolateral segment and the so-called area x. Both project directly to primary motor and premotor association cortices.
major descending outputs that affect upper motor neurons in brainstem
+superior colliculus
+reticular formation
+vestibular nuclei
Vestibulocerebellar efferent pathways
project through the inferior cerebellar peduncle to the nuclei in the vestibular complex that are responsible for eye, head and neck movements
mossy fibers
Axons from the pontine nuclei are called mossy fibers, that synapse on neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei (=granule cells), in the granule layer of cerebellar cortex and give rise to axons called parallel fibers, which then ascend to the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex
purkinje cells input
input from climbing fibers, which arise in the inferior olive
purkinje cells
Huge dendrites that branch out
receive input from heaps of parallel fibres
Inhibitory (GABA) to cerebellar cortex
Projections to deep cerebellar nuclei that serve to shape discharge patterns of those
purkinje cells Indirect input
Mossy fibres come from all sorts of sources (cortex, brainstem, spinal cord) and synapse on deep cerebellar nuclei & granule cells
Granule cells give rise to parallel fibres that synapse on purkinje cells
purkinje cells direct output
Inferior olive climbing fibres purkinje cell & deep nuclei
stellate cells
on the other hand receives input from parallel fibers and provides inhibitory input to Purkinje cell dendrites
Timing Hypothesis
Cerebellum is critical for sensorimotor learning because it generates predictions that are temporally precise
Cortical areas select effectors while cerebellum supplies the precise timing needed for activating these effectors
Lesions are most disruptive to highly practiced movements, which present the greatest need for precise timing
E.g. classical conditioning example with airpuff
Degeneration of anterior cerebellar cortex
lower limb movemnet impoaired ( alcohol)
Cerebellar ataxia
jerky & imprecise movements
Nystagmus
difficulty of eyes in maintaining fixation drift from target then jump back
Dysdiadochokinesia
difficulty performing rapid alternating movements
Action/intention tremors
over & undershooting of movements