The cerebellum has a homogeneous structure and performs different computational functions such as modulation/coordination of the communication between cerebral regions, and regulation/integration of sensory information. Albeit cerebellar activity is generally associated with motor functions, several recent studies link it to various cognitive functions, including spatial navigation. In addition, cerebellar activity plays a modulatory role in different cognitive domains and brain processes. Depending on the network involved, cerebellar damage results in specific functional alterations, even when no function loss might be detected. In the present review, we discuss evidence of brainstem degeneration and of a substantial reduction of neurons in nuclei connected to the inferior olivary nucleus in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Based on the rich patterns of afferences from the inferior olive nucleus to the cerebellum, we argue that the subtle alterations in spatial navigation described in the early stages of dementia stem from alterations of the neuromodulatory functions of the cerebellum.

Cerebellum-Cortical Interaction in Spatial Navigation and Its Alteration in Dementias / Mirino, Pierandrea; Pecchinenda, Anna; Boccia, Maddalena; Capirchio, Adriano; D'Antonio, Fabrizia; Guariglia, Cecilia. - In: BRAIN SCIENCES. - ISSN 2076-3425. - 12:5(2022), p. 523. [10.3390/brainsci12050523]

Cerebellum-Cortical Interaction in Spatial Navigation and Its Alteration in Dementias

Pierandrea Mirino
Primo
;
Anna Pecchinenda;Maddalena Boccia;Fabrizia D'Antonio;Cecilia Guariglia
2022

Abstract

The cerebellum has a homogeneous structure and performs different computational functions such as modulation/coordination of the communication between cerebral regions, and regulation/integration of sensory information. Albeit cerebellar activity is generally associated with motor functions, several recent studies link it to various cognitive functions, including spatial navigation. In addition, cerebellar activity plays a modulatory role in different cognitive domains and brain processes. Depending on the network involved, cerebellar damage results in specific functional alterations, even when no function loss might be detected. In the present review, we discuss evidence of brainstem degeneration and of a substantial reduction of neurons in nuclei connected to the inferior olivary nucleus in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Based on the rich patterns of afferences from the inferior olive nucleus to the cerebellum, we argue that the subtle alterations in spatial navigation described in the early stages of dementia stem from alterations of the neuromodulatory functions of the cerebellum.
2022
spatial navigation; cerebellum; inferior olivary nucleus; dementia; brainstem; Alzheimer’s disease
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01g Articolo di rassegna (Review)
Cerebellum-Cortical Interaction in Spatial Navigation and Its Alteration in Dementias / Mirino, Pierandrea; Pecchinenda, Anna; Boccia, Maddalena; Capirchio, Adriano; D'Antonio, Fabrizia; Guariglia, Cecilia. - In: BRAIN SCIENCES. - ISSN 2076-3425. - 12:5(2022), p. 523. [10.3390/brainsci12050523]
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
Mirino_Cerebellum-Cortical Interaction_2022.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.23 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.23 MB Adobe PDF

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1630483
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 6
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 5
social impact