Disorders of the Cerebellum

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The cerebellum is a component of the brain. It is located beneath the cerebral cortex, behind the brainstem, and above the spinal cord. The cerebellum plays a significant role in "coordination." People with a dysfunctional cerebellum are clumsy and unsteady. Even if they are not drunk, they may appear to be.

Introduction

The cerebellum, like the basal ganglia, has long been thought to be part of the motor system because damage to it causes motor disturbances. Damage to the cerebellum, unlike damage to the basal ganglia, does not result in a lack or poverty of movement. Cerebellar dysfunction, on the other hand, is characterized by a lack of movement coordination. In addition, unlike the basal ganglia (and motor cortex), cerebellar damage causes impairments on the ipsilateral side of the body.

Cerebellar disorders are rare. They are frequently referred to as "ataxia". Ataxia is a broad term that refers to the general impairments in movement coordination and accuracy that occur as a result of cerebellar damage.

The prevalence of childhood ataxia is 26/100,000 children. Ataxia is rare compared to cerebral palsy (211/100,00) and autism (620/100,000).

vectors by Freepick; graphic design by Vadot


Types

Cerebellar disorders are distinguished clinically by incoordination, imbalance, and difficulty stabilizing eye movements. There are two types of cerebellar syndromes: midline and hemispheric.
  • Midline cerebellar syndromes are distinguished by an imbalance. Individuals are unsteady, unable to stand in Romberg with their eyes open or closed, and unable to perform tandem gaits
  • Hemispheric cerebellar syndromes are characterized by limb incoordination. There may be movement decomposition, dysmetria, and rebound

Movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease will have different effects from carbon monoxide poisoning or heavy metal poisoning.

Genetic testing yields very low results in sporadic ataxia (i.e., no family history), it only yields a diagnosis in 6% of cases. Given the high cost and low benefit of genetic testing, we believe most people will opt out. This equation will change when it is possible to edit genes.

Reference:

Cerebellar Disorders. (2022). Dizziness-And-Balance.com. https://dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/central/cerebellar/cerebellar.htm

Disorders of the Motor System (Section 3, Chapter 6) Neuroscience Online: An Electronic Textbook for the Neurosciences | Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy - The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. (2020). Tmc.edu. https://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s3/chapter06.html

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