The Cerebellum

AUTHOR

The Cerebellum provides a concise, accessible overview of modern data on physiology and function of the cerebellum as it relates to learning, plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases. Encompassing anatomy and physiology, theoretical work, cellular mechanisms, clinical research, and disorders, the book covers learning and plasticity while introducing the anatomy of the cerebellum. Known and proposed "functions of the cerebellum" are addressed on clinical, physiological, cellular, and computational levels, providing academics, researchers, medical students, and graduate students with an invaluable reference.

The Cerebellum provides a concise, accessible overview of modern data on physiology and function of the cerebellum as it relates to learning, plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Acknowledgments ix
 
Introduction xi
 
Section I: The Neuronal Machine 1
 
1 Structure and Physiology 3
 
Anatomy of the Cerebellar Cortex 3
 
Physiology of the Cerebellar Cortex 6
 
Subdivisions of the Cerebellum 10
 
The Gatekeepers: Vestibular and Deep Cerebellar Nuclei 13
 
Afferent Connections of the Cerebellum 15
 
Efferent Connections of the Cerebellum 19
 
References 21
 
Further Reading 25
 
2 Operating the Machine 27
 
Learning in the Cerebellar Cortex 28
 
Pattern Recognition by the Cerebellum 30
 
Neural Networks 32
 
The Cerebellum as Part of a "Control System" 32
 
Multiple Sites for Cerebellar Learning? 34
 
The Cerebellar Clock 36
 
Conclusions 38
 
References 38
 
Further Reading 40
 
3 Plasticity in the Cerebellar Cortex 41
 
Cerebellar Long-Term Depression 41
 
The Calcium Trigger 42
 
The Synaptic Conversation 44
 
The Memory Trace 46
 
What About Potentiation? 48
 
Other Sites of Plasticity 51
 
Interneurons 52
 
Conclusions 55
 
References 55
 
Further Reading 59
 
4 Adjusting the Memory Trace 61
 
Consolidation Mechanisms 61
 
Memory Transfer and Synaptic Plasticity 63
 
Mossy-Fiber Collaterals in the DCN 64
 
Intrinsic Plasticity in the DCN 66
 
Other Changes to the Memory Trace 67
 
References 68
 
Section II: Motor Learning 71
 
5 Learning a New Motor Response 73
 
Learning in the Cerebellar Cortex 75
 
Cerebellar LTD and Learning 76
 
The Engram for the NMR 79
 
Conclusions 82
 
References 82
 
Further Reading 85
 
6 Recalibration for Fine Motor Control 87
 
A Stable Platform for Vision 87
 
Adjusting an Orienting Movement 95
 
Adjusting a Tracking Movement 97
 
Conclusions 99
 
References 99
 
Further Reading 102
 
7 Perfecting Limb Movements by Motor Learning 103
 
Updating Dynamic Models 104
 
Throwing and Pointing 107
 
Sequence Learning 109
 
Stepping and Changes to gait 111
 
The Agile Mouse 113
 
Conclusions 114
 
References 114
 
Further Reading 117
 
Section III: Precision Control 119
 
8 Coordination 121
 
Precise Ocular Coordination 122
 
Coordinating the Eyes and the Head 126
 
Error Correction for Limb Movements 127
 
Planning for Multiple Joints 129
 
Internal Models Revisited 132
 
Conclusions 134
 
References 134
 
Further Reading 137
 
9 Balance and Locomotion 139
 
Cerebellar Ataxia 140
 
Signals from the Inner Ear 142
 
Coordinating Locomotion 146
 
Navigation 148
 
Conclusions 150
 
References 150
 
Further Reading 152
 
10 Timing 153
 
Timing Using Discharge Rates 154
 
Timing Using Synchronous Firing 161
 
Conclusions 165
 
References 166
 
Further Reading 168
 
Section IV: Interpreting the World 169
 
11 Intelligence and Language 173
 
General Intelligence 175
 
Executive Function 177
 
Problem-solving 181
 
Speech and Language 183
 
Possible Mechanisms 187
 
Conclusions 188
 
References 188
 
Further Reading 191
 
12 Sensing, Feeling, and Interacting 193
 
Sensory Perception 194
 
Attending to theW