The cerebellum and motor learning Flashcards
What does the cerebellum mean?
- little brain
The cerebellum sits in which fossa of the cranium?
1 - posterior cranial fossa
2 - anterior cranial fossa
3 - medial cranial fossa
4 - lateral cranial fossa
1 - posterior cranial fossa
The cerebellum is separated from the cerebrum by a fold of strong, double-layered membrane. This is formed by the 2 layers of the dura matter meninges, called the periosteal and meningeal layer. What is this fold called?
1 - falx cerebri (latin for little tent)
2 - tentorium cerebelli
3 - falx cerebelli
4 - diaphragma
1 - falx cerebri (latin for little tent)
The cerebellum is attached to the brain stain by the peduncles. How many peduncles are there, and what are their names?
1 - superior
2 - middle
3 - inferior
The cerebellum is attached to the brain stain by 3 peduncles, superior, middle and inferior. These peduncles contain nerve axons between the cerebellum. Specifically they connect the cerebellum and what 3 areas via the brain stem?
1 - brain (provides information)
2 - inner ear (linked with vestibule for balance)
3 - spinal cord (spinocerebellar tract)
The cerebellum is split into 2 hemispheres by what?
1 - vermis
2 - falx cerebri (latin for little tent)
3 - tentorium cerebelli
4 - diaphragma
1 - vermis
- latin for worm
The cerebellum is split into 2 hemispheres by the vermis (latin for worm). There are 3 lobes in the cerebellum, label them using the labels below:
- posterior lobe
- flocculonodular lobe
- anterior lobe
1 - anterior lobe
2 - posterior lobe
3 - flocculonodular lobe
What are the 4 key functions the cerebellum is involved in?
1 - pain, emotion, coordination, balance/posture
2 - pain, Cognitive functions, coordination, balance/posture
3 - motor learning, Cognitive functions, coordination, balance/posture
4 - Cognitive functions, emotion, coordination, balance/posture
3 - motor learning, Cognitive functions, coordination, balance/posture
The cerebellum is described as the great comparator. Why is this?
1 - can process multiple information simultaneously
2 - able to process what we intend to happen and what actually happens
3 - has to sides
4 - deliver multiple outputs at the same time
2 - able to process what we intend to happen and what actually happens
The cerebellum is described as the great comparator as it is able to compare 2 inputs:
1 - what you intend to happen
2 - what is actually happening
Why is it important for the cerebellum to do this?
- process, plan and correct movement (learning)
- send information to cerebral cortex and spinal cord
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The bottom lobe, called the flocculonodular lobe is involved in balance. It receives information from the semicircular canals in the inner ear. This part of the cerebellum is referred to as what?
1 - spinocerebellum
2 - vestibulocerebellum
3 - cerebrocerebellum/pontocerebellum
4 - dentate nuclei
2 - vestibulocerebellum
- vestibulo = vestibules in ears
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The vermis and the paravermis (either side of the vermis) form what functional area?
1 - spinocerebellum
2 - vestibulocerebellum
3 - cerebrocerebellum/pontocerebellum
4 - dentate nuclei
- spinocerebellum
= spino = spine as it receives proprioceptive input from the spinocerebellar tracts
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The vermis and the paravermis (either side of the vermis) form the spinocerebellum. What is the functional important of this area?
1 - muscle strength
2 - motor learning
3 - coordinate the muscles of the trunk and limbs
4 - cognitive function
3 - coordinate the muscles of the trunk and limbs
- think descending tract spinocorticol
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The lateral portions of the cerebellum is another area. What is the name and functional important of this area?
1 - spinocerebellum
2 - vestibulocerebellum
3 - cerebrocerebellum/pontocerebellum
4 - dentate nuclei
- cerebrocerebellum/pontocerebellum
- initiate movement, fine motor control and motor learning
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The vermis and the paravermis (either side of the vermis) form the spinocerebellum. The outputs from the spinocerebellum synapse with which two nuclei?
1 - fastigial nuclei
2 - interposed nuclei
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The vermis and the paravermis (either side of the vermis) form the spinocerebellum. The outputs from the spinocerebellum synapse with the fastigial nuclei and interposed nuclei. What descending tract does the fastigial nuclei send information via?
- medial corticospinal tract (descending pathway)
- involved in motor function
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The vermis and the paravermis (either side of the vermis) form the spinocerebellum. The outputs from the spinocerebellum synapse with the fastigial nuclei and interposed nuclei. What descending tract is does the interposed nuclei send information via?
- lateral corticospinal descending tracts
- motor control
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The cerebrocerebellum is formed by the lateral aspects of the hemispheres. This area is able to synapse with which main nuclei located in the cerebellum?
- dentate nuclei
- involved in motor planning
The functions of the cerebellum can be isolated to a specific part of the cerebellum in relation to the lobes of the cerebellum. The vestibulorcerebellum is formed by the flocculonodular lobe. Which nuclei does the vestibulorcerebellum synapse with in the pons and medulla, and what is its function?
- vestibular nuclei
- balance and eye movements
Once we receive input from the vestibular system (inner ear, specifically the semicircular canals) what happens to that information?
- 1st order neurons (ON) synapse at the vestibulocerebellum with 2nd ON
- 2nd ON synapse at the vestibular nuclei with 3rd ON
- additional information sent to extraocular muscle nuclei and down the vestibulospinal tract
- all coordinates balance
When we look at a somatic map of the cerebellum, which part of the cerebellum is primarily involved in the control of the muscles of the long axis of the body, such as the neck, shoulders, thorax and the abdomen?
1 - lateral zone
2 - medial zone
3 - vermis
4 - paravermis
3 - vermis
When we look at a somatic map of the cerebellum, which part of the cerebellum is primarily involved in the control of the muscles of the distal parts of the body, such as the hands and the feet?
1 - lateral zone
2 - medial zone
3 - vermis
4 - paravermis
4 - paravermis
When we look at a somatic map of the cerebellum, which part of the cerebellum is primarily involved in the planning and assessment of movement?
1 - lateral zone
2 - cerebrocerebellum
3 - vermis
4 - paravermis
- outer parts of the cerebellum
2 - cerebrocerebellum
Mossy fibres provide input and enter the cerebellum from what 2 areas?
1 - motor cortex and brain stem
2 - motor cortex and spinal cord
3 - brain stem and spinal cord
4 - spinal cord and medulla oblongata
3 - brain stem and spinal cord
Climbing fibres provide input and enter the cerebellum from what areas?
- inferior olivary nucleas
- located in medulla oblongata
Within the cerebellum cortex there are 5 layer of cells. Using the labels here, label the image:
- purkinje fibres layer
- mossy fibres layer
- white matter
- granule cell layer
- molecular levelThalami, Vestibular nuclei, Red nucleus
1 - molecular level 2 - purkinje cell layer 3 - granule cell layer 4 - white matter 5 - mossy layer
If there are lesions in the cerebellum this can have a significant effect on movement. A lesion in the cerebrocerebellum can cause dysmetria. What is dysmetria?
1 - muscle atrophy
2 - poor co-ordination
3 - palsy in 1 or more limbs
4 - spinal pain
2 - poor co-ordination
- dys = dysfunction and metria = movement
- movement is not stopped in time (overshoot)
- inability to control and perform smoothly coordinated movements
If there are lesions in the cerebellum this can have a significant effect on movement. A lesion in the cerebrocerebellum can cause dsynergia. What is dsynergia?
1 - muscle atrophy
2 - poor co-ordination
3 - palsy in 1 or more limbs
4 - disturbance of muscular coordination
4 - disturbance of muscular coordination
If there are lesions in the cerebellum this can have a significant effect on movement. A lesion in the cerebrocerebellum can cause dysdiadochokinesia. What is dysdiadochokinesia?
1 - muscle atrophy
2 - poor co-ordination
3 - inability to perform rapid alternating muscle movements
4 - disturbance of muscular coordination
- dys = dysfunctional, diadochos = succeeding and kinesia = movement
3 - inability to perform rapid alternating muscle movements
If there are lesions in the cerebellum this can have a significant effect on movement. A lesion in the cerebrocerebellum can cause intentional tremors. What are intentional tremors?
1 - tremors when trying to perform goal orientated movements
2 - poor co-ordination
3 - inability to perform rapid alternating muscle movements
4 - disturbance of muscular coordination
1 - tremor that occurs when trying to perform a goal-directed movement
If there are lesions in the cerebellum this can have a significant effect on movement. A lesion in the cerebrocerebellum can cause dysarthria. What are dysarthria?
1 - tremors when trying to perform goal orientated movements
2 - uneven speech strength and velocity
3 - inability to perform rapid alternating muscle movements
4 - disturbance of muscular coordination
2 - uneven speech strength and velocity
- dys = dysfunction
- arthria = vocal or joints
If there are lesions in the cerebellum this can have a significant effect on movement. A lesion in the vestibulorcerebellum can cause nystagmus. What are nystagmus?
- involuntary rhythmic movements of the side
- causes blurred vision and difficulty to focus
If there are lesions in the cerebellum this can have a significant effect on movement. A lesion in the spinocerebellum can cause gait ataxia. What are gait ataxia?
- ataxia = lack of coordination
- abnormal walking gait
The cerebellum has four deep cerebellar nuclei embedded in the white matter in its center. Using the names below, label the image below:
- dentate
- emboliform
- globose
- fastigii
mnemonic = Done Eat Greasy Food
1 = dentate 2 = emboliform 3 = globose 4 = fastigii
From lateral to medial use the nmemonic: Dont Eat Greasy Food
The spino-olivary tract is located in the anterior funiculus of the spinal cord. These are afferent sensory receptors that provide transmission of unconscious proprioception and is involved in balance. This tract carries proprioception information from muscles and tendons as well as cutaneous impulses to where in the medulla oblongata?
The inferior olivary nucleus
- coordinate signals from the spinal cord to the cerebellum
- regulates motor coordination and learning
The spino-olivary tract is located in the anterior funiculus of the spinal cord. These are afferent sensory receptors that provide transmission of unconscious proprioception and is involved in balance. This tract carries proprioception information from muscles and tendons as well as cutaneous impulses to the inferior olivary nucleus. The inferior olives then synapse with 2 areas in the cerebellum called the deep cerebellar nuclei and the purkinje fibres. What is the name of these fibres?
- climbing fibres
The inferior olives synapse with 2 areas in the cerebellum called the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) and the purkinje fibres (PF) via climbing fibres. When synapsing with these areas what neurotransmitter is released and what does this elicit?
1 - aspartate opens NMDAR-glutamate receptors causing action potential
2 - glutamate opens NMDAR-glutamate receptors causing action potential
3 - dopamine opens NMDAR-glutamate receptors causing action potential
4 - serotonin opens NMDAR-glutamate receptors causing action potential
1 - aspartate opens NMDAR-glutamate receptors causing action potential
- most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS
- opens NMDAR-type glutamate receptors only
- this causes action potential at DCN and PF
The inferior olives synapse with 2 areas in the cerebellum called the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) and the purkinje fibres (PF) via climbing fibres. When synapsing with these areas aspartate, the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS is released which opens NMDAR-type glutamate receptors only causing an action potential at DCN and PF. Once the PF have received the action potential they can also synapse with the DCN. What do they do to the DCN?
- release GABA
- causes an inhibition at the DCN
- important for fine motor control
Mossy fibres come from multiple sensory pathways. When it enters the cerebellum, where do the axons synapse with?
- deep cerebellar nuclei
- granular cells
- ganglia cells
Mossy fibres come from multiple sensory pathways. When it enters the cerebellum, its axons synapse with the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), granular cells and ganglia cells. Upon synapsing with the DCN, what neurotransmitter is released and what is the effect of this?
1 - aspartate causing an action potential
2 - glutamate causing an action potential
3 - dopamine opens causing an action potential
4 - serotonin opens causing an action potential
2 - glutamate causing an action potential
Mossy fibres come from multiple sensory pathways. When it enters the cerebellum, its axons synapse with the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), granular cells and ganglia cells. Upon synapsing with the granular cells, what neurotransmitter is released and what does this cause?
- glutamate is released stimulating an action potential
- action potential moves into molecular layer of cerebellum
Mossy fibres come from multiple sensory pathways. When it enters the cerebellum, its axons synapse with the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), granular cells and ganglia cells. Upon synapsing with the granular cells, releasing glutamate. This stimulates an action potential that then moves into molecular layer of cerebellum. What 3 cells are these granular cells able to stimulate in the molecular layer?
1 - basket cells
2 - stellate cells
3 - purkinje cells
Mossy fibres come from multiple sensory pathways. When it enters the cerebellum, its axons synapse with the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), granular cells and ganglia cells. Upon synapsing with the granular cells, releasing glutamate. This stimulates an action potential that then moves into molecular layer of cerebellum. This stimulates basket, stellate and purkinje cells. Once the basket and stellate cells have been stimulated they become inhibitory and do what?
- release inhibitory neurotransmitters
- this inhibits purkinje fibres
Mossy fibres come from multiple sensory pathways. When it enters the cerebellum, its axons synapse with the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), granular cells and ganglia cells. Upon synapsing with the granular cells, releasing glutamate. This stimulates an action potential that then moves into molecular layer of cerebellum. This stimulates basket, stellate and purkinje cells. In addition stimulating the basket and stellate cells which can then inhibit purkinje fibre, what else can the granular cells stimulate?
- stimulate purkinje fibres
- increasing their activity which can then inhibit the DCN
Mossy fibres come from multiple sensory pathways. When it enters the cerebellum, its axons synapse with the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), granular cells and ganglia cells. Upon synapsing with the granular cells, releasing glutamate. Upon synapsing with the ganglia cells, what can these cells then do to the granular cells?
- inhibit their activity
- granular cells can also activate ganglia cells, which in turn can inhibit granular cells
What does feedforward relate to in relation movement?
- cerebral cortex signals what movement is required
- this is the intended movement
Once the cerebral cortex signals what movement is required it then signals to the spinal cord to initiate the intended movement. What does feedback relate to in relation movement?
- feedback is provided to the cerebellum from sensory receptors and directly to the cerebellum from the cerebral cortex
- cerebellum makes adjustments and provides feedback to the cerebral cortex
What is long term depression in relation to motor learning?
- an activity-dependent reduction in the efficacy of neuronal synapses lasting hours or longer following a long patterned stimulus
- essentially the cerebellum reduces efficacy of neuronal synapses where errors are present
Long term depression in relation to motor learning is where the cerebellum recognises when an error has occurred. This is generally following long patterned stimulus (practice). There is a cell in the cerebellum that is then able to reduce the efficacy of the neuronal synapses associated with the error. What cell is responsible for this?
1 - climbing fibres
2 - purkinje fibres
3 - granular cells
4 - basket cell
1 - climbing fibres
- climbing fibres inhibit the purkinje fibres
Long term depression (LTD) in relation to motor learning is where the cerebellum recognises when an error has occurred. This is generally following long patterned stimulus (practice). There is a cell in the cerebellum that is then able to reduce the efficacy of the neuronal synapses associated with the error. What is the normal process and the adjusted process involved in LTD?
- mossy fibres stimulate granular cells
- granular cells stimulate purkinje cells
- if this calibration is incorrect for a motor movement the climbing fibres wrapped around purkinje fibres become innervated
- they weaken/depress the signal from the granular cells and we calibrate again and learn
- whole process helps us fine tune our motor skills, like shooting a 3 pointer in basketball
