Task 3 - Cerebellum

Question 1

Main gray matter structures of the cerebellum

Answer 1

Cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei

Question 2

Cerebellar hemispheres

Answer 2

1. Cerebrocerbellum
2. Spinocerebellum
3. Vestibulocerebellum

Question 3

Cerebellar peduncles

Answer 3

1. Superior cerebellar peduncle
2. Middle cerebellar peduncle
3. Inferior cerebellar peduncle

Question 4

Projection from the cerebellum

Cerebrocerebellum

Answer 4

Cerebrocerebellum sends to dentate nucleus sends to premotor cortex (motor planning

Question 5

Projection from the cerebellum

Spinocerebellum

Answer 5

Spinocerebellum sends to interposed and fastigal nuclei sends to motor cortex and brainstem (motor execution)

Question 6

Projection from the cerebellum

Vestibulocerebellum

Answer 6

Vetsibulocerebellum sends to vestibular nuclei sends to lower motor neurons in spinal cord and brainstem (balance etc.)

Question 7

Marr-Albus theory of motor learning

Answer 7

• Suggests that the cerebellum serves as a predictive controller, minimizing the mismatch between expected and actual sensory feedback during movement
• It proposes that the cerebellum refines motor commands through trial-and-error learning, optimizing movement accuracy based on sensory input

Question 8

Excitatory loop

Answer 8

1. Cells from the inferior olive send directly to the DCN (Climbing fiber)
2. Cells from the Pontine nuclei send directly to DCN (Mossy fiber)
3. DCN sends to thalamus

(All excitatory)

Question 9

Inhibitory loop

Answer 9

1. Inferior olive sends to Granule cells (excitatory via mossy fibers)
2. Granule cell sends to Purkinje cell (excitatory via parallel fibers)
3. Inferior olive sends to Purkinje cell also (excitatory via climbing fibers)
4. Purkinje cell sends to DCN (inhibitory)