The Cerebellum

Question 1

The 3 functional regions of the cerebellum

Answer 1

Spino-cerebellum
Vestibulo-cerebellum
Cerebro(ponto)-cerebellum

Question 2

Function of the vestibulo-cerebellum

Answer 2

control over posture/balance, also eye movement

Question 3

Function of the spino-cerebellum

Answer 3

control over axial musculature and posture

Question 4

Functions of the cerebro-ponto)-cerebellum

Answer 4

• instructs the M1 regarding movement direction, timing and force
• compares intended movements with actual movements and sends compensatory instructions to M1
• prediction & planning of movements
• role in ‘motor memory’ and in instigating learned motor sequences
• indirectly regulates posture

Question 5

3 layers of the cerebellar cortex

Answer 5

(top) molecular layer
purkinje cell layer
granule cell layer

Question 6

Climbing fibers are input from

Answer 6

inferior olive (pons)

Question 7

Climbing fibres synapse onto

Answer 7

purkinje fibres - excitatory glutamate

Question 8

Mossy fiber input is from

Answer 8

brainstem nuceli

Question 9

Mossy fibers indirectly synapse onto purkinje cells by

Answer 9

synapsing onto granule cells which form parallel fibres in the molecular layer and excite purkinje cells, & stellate, basket, golgi cells

Question 10

inhibitory cells in the cerebellum

Answer 10

stellate cells
basket cells
golgi cells
purkinje cells

Question 11

excitatory cells in the cerebellum

Answer 11

granule cells

Question 12

Output from the cerebellum

Answer 12

Purkinje cells output to deep cerebellar nuclei

Question 13

Output of the deep cerebellar nuclei

Answer 13

Send compensatory input to the brainstem and to thalamus -> M1 motor cortex (output to the motor systems)

Question 14

Why is the cerebellum thought to be involved in motor memory

Answer 14

Synapses between the granule cell parallel fibers and purkinje cells show use-dependent plasticity - so thought to be involved in motor learning

Question 15

How id information purkinje fibers received modulated?

Answer 15

Information they receive from climbing fibers is modulated by information they receive from mossy fibers

Question 16

Result of damage to the cerebro(ponto)-cerebellum

Answer 16

ataxia 
asynergy 
intention tremour 
dysmetria 
dysarthria

Question 17

Input into the cerebellum

Answer 17

from climbing & mossy fibers from the brainstem