All articles tagged with #cerebellum
A study finds that shyness is linked to reduced spontaneous activity in the cerebellum, with this relationship being partly mediated by the Behavioral Inhibition System, highlighting the neural and motivational factors underlying shy behavior.
Recent research suggests that the ancient regions of the brain, such as the subcortex and cerebellum, may play a more significant role in consciousness than previously thought, challenging the traditional focus on the neocortex.
Recent research suggests that the oldest parts of the brain, such as the subcortex and even the cerebellum, may be sufficient for basic consciousness, challenging the traditional view that the neocortex is essential for conscious experience. Evidence from brain stimulation, injury, and rare cases of individuals without a neocortex indicates that consciousness might be more widespread and rooted in ancient brain structures than previously thought.
Recent research suggests that traditional theories emphasizing the neocortex's role in consciousness may be incomplete, as evidence indicates that ancient brain regions like the subcortex and cerebellum can support basic conscious experiences, prompting a reevaluation of our understanding of consciousness and its neural basis.
A study from UC Riverside links mitochondrial dysfunction to the loss of Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum, contributing to motor impairments in MS patients, suggesting that targeting mitochondrial health could help preserve motor control and balance.
Neuroscientists studying learning in mice have discovered "zombie neurons" in the brain, shedding new light on the learning processes in the cerebellum. Using optogenetics, they found that climbing fibers in the cerebellum play a key role in associative learning. However, introducing a light-sensitive protein zombified these neurons, preventing them from responding to sensory stimuli and blocking the animals' ability to learn. This research provides compelling evidence that climbing fiber signals are essential for cerebellar associative learning and raises questions about the 'zombification' of neurons and its implications for other forms of cerebellar learning.
A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University reveals that the cerebellum, traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in reward-based learning and forming new visuomotor associations. By training monkeys to associate visual cues with hand movements for rewards, the study shows that blocking a specific region of the cerebellum impairs the ability to learn new associations, highlighting its contribution to cognitive functions. This discovery expands our understanding of the cerebellum's role beyond motor control and offers insights into addressing non-motor symptoms in individuals with cerebellar disorders.
Researchers have discovered "zombie neurons" in the cerebellum, termed as such because they are alive but functionally altered, shedding light on the brain's teaching signals and the role of climbing fibres in associative learning. The study utilized optogenetics to manipulate climbing fibres and found that they are crucial for cerebellar learning, as altering them created "zombie neurons" that could induce learning when directly stimulated but ceased to respond to traditional sensory stimuli. This research provides compelling evidence of the necessity of climbing fibre signals in cerebellar learning, advancing our understanding of brain plasticity and learning mechanisms.
Despite being long believed to primarily control movement, the cerebellum, containing three-quarters of the brain's neurons, is now suspected to regulate complex behaviors, social interactions, aggression, working memory, learning, and emotion. Recent research and clinical studies have revealed cognitive and emotional deficits in patients with cerebellar damage, challenging the traditional view of its function and prompting neuroscientists to explore its newly discovered roles beyond motor control.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have used Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and dinosaur fossil comparisons to uncover the role of the cerebellum in enabling bird flight. Their research revealed an adaptive growth in the cerebellum's size, indicating its involvement in the planning, steering, and learning of motor functions among fossilized vertebrates. The study also identified increased brain activity in optic flow pathways during flight. By comparing modern bird brain activity with dinosaur fossil documentation, the researchers traced the development of neural conditions for flight in avian ancestors. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of flight and paves the way for further analysis of specific brain regions involved in flight readiness.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have used PET scans of modern pigeons and studies of dinosaur fossils to determine that an increase in the size of the cerebellum played a crucial role in the evolution of bird flight. The cerebellum, responsible for movement and motor control, showed significant activity increases during flight in pigeons. By comparing this with the fossil record, researchers identified a growth in cerebellum volume in early maniraptoran dinosaurs, indicating the development of brain conditions for powered flight. This study sheds light on the brain's role in the evolution of flight among vertebrates and may lead to further research on the neural connections enabling a flight-ready brain.
Researchers have discovered a direct connection between the cerebellum and the basal ganglia, altering our understanding of movement and reward processing in the brain. This finding has implications for addiction, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders, potentially leading to new therapeutic interventions. The cerebellum's role in modulating dopamine levels in the basal ganglia affects both movement initiation and reward-based behavior learning, offering new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying these conditions.
The cerebellum, long believed to solely control movement, is now being recognized for its role in regulating complex behaviors, social interactions, emotions, and more. Recent research using new experimental techniques has revealed the cerebellum's extensive neural circuitry and its connections to various brain regions involved in higher cognitive functions. These findings suggest that the cerebellum acts as a data-crunching hub, influencing not only movement but also complex mental processes and behaviors, shedding new light on its role as a "little brain."
New research from Duke University reveals a significant association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a reduction in cerebellar volume, with individuals with PTSD having cerebellums approximately 2% smaller than those without the disorder. The study, one of the largest of its kind, emphasizes the importance of considering the cerebellum in PTSD diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to more effective therapies for those affected by the condition. The findings prompt further investigation into whether a smaller cerebellum predisposes a person to PTSD or if PTSD leads to cerebellum shrinkage, with implications for targeting the cerebellum in PTSD treatment.
Researchers at Heidelberg University have mapped the development of the cerebellum in humans, mice, and opossums, revealing its complex structure and significant role in human cognitive evolution. The study focused on Purkinje cells and genetic variations over 160 million years, shedding light on the cellular and molecular characteristics of cerebellum development. The findings suggest that the expansion of specific types of Purkinje cells during human evolution supports higher cognitive functions. The research also identified genes with activity profiles that differ between humans and mice, which could provide valuable insights for biomedical research on neurodevelopmental disorders and childhood brain tumors.