Elevations in cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine during unilateral and bilateral cerebellar stimulation in man

Psychotic behavior associated with cerebellar pathology

This report concerns a 27-year-old man in whom psychotic behavior emerged in association with a cerebellar tumor. This presentation supports previous clinical observations which postulate an intimate relationship between cerebellar pathology and the development of schizophrenia.

Atrophy of the cerebellar vermis: relevance to the symptoms of schizophrenia

Degeneration of the cerebellar vermis is a common pathological and neuroradiological feature of chronic schizophrenia, but its relationship to symptoms of the disease are poorly understood. We investigated the relationship of vermal cerebellar atrophy on CT scan to features of positive (productive) and negative (defect) dimensions of schizophrenia as well as to symptoms of general psychopathology in a sample of 23 chronic schizophrenic patients. For comparison, we also studied the relationship of third ventricular width (TVW), which reflects periventricular and diencephalic atrophy, to these features of schizophrenic symptomatology. Vermal cerebellar atrophy was found in 43.5% of patients and correlated significantly with general psychopathology and, more specifically, with feelings of guilt and disturbance of volition. It was unrelated to global positive or negative features of schizophrenia. By contrast, TVW was uniquely associated with global negative syndrome. These observations indicate that degeneration of the cerebellar vermis and enlargement of the third ventricle are integral aspects of schizophrenia, and that each contributes independently to specific clinical aspects of the disease.

Cerebellar pathology in schizophrenia--cause or consequence?

Atrophy of the cerebellar vermal cortex has been reported to occur in 10% or more of patients with schizophrenia. Data from studies on experimental animals indicate that a functional relationship between the cerebellum and parts of the forebrain involved in emotion exists, and that the cerebellum may influence some types of behavior. Cerebellar abnormality in schizophrenic patients, although of uncertain cause, could contribute to the symptomatology of the disease.

Zones in the cerebellar cortex. Their organization and potential relevance to cerebellar stimulation

The organization of zones in the cerebellar cortex, as reflected by the arrangement of cortical efferent and afferent fibers, was reviewed with special emphasis on the anterior lobe. There is conclusive evidence for the existence of at least six, and possibly as many as nine, ipsilateral rostrocaudally oriented cortical zones, each having specific afferent and efferent connections. The topography afferent and efferent fibers of the cerebellar cortex and/or the spatial arrangement of cortical zones have not been given appropriate attention in both experimental and clinical studies dealing with focal electrical stimulation of the cerebellum. It is suggested that inattention to the relationships between electrode placement and zones in the cerebellar cortex may be partially responsible for the sometimes capricious results during and/or subsequent cerebellar cortical stimulation.

Cerebellar stimulation in man. Quantitative changes in spasticity

The effects of chronic anterior lobe cerebellar stimulation on patients with cerebral palsy have been investigated using a new method of quanitfying muscle rigidity and stretch reflexes. The ankle is oscillated sinusoidally, compliance is measured at several frequencies, and electromyographic activity of the extensor and flexor muscles is recorded. In some patients stimulation can reduce rigidity and coactivation of muscles immediately or slowly over days or months. In others no change is found.