1
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Kebschull JM, Casoni F, Consalez GG, Goldowitz D, Hawkes R, Ruigrok TJH, Schilling K, Wingate R, Wu J, Yeung J, Uusisaari MY. Cerebellum Lecture: the Cerebellar Nuclei-Core of the Cerebellum. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:620-677. [PMID: 36781689 PMCID: PMC10951048 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01506-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum is a key player in many brain functions and a major topic of neuroscience research. However, the cerebellar nuclei (CN), the main output structures of the cerebellum, are often overlooked. This neglect is because research on the cerebellum typically focuses on the cortex and tends to treat the CN as relatively simple output nuclei conveying an inverted signal from the cerebellar cortex to the rest of the brain. In this review, by adopting a nucleocentric perspective we aim to rectify this impression. First, we describe CN anatomy and modularity and comprehensively integrate CN architecture with its highly organized but complex afferent and efferent connectivity. This is followed by a novel classification of the specific neuronal classes the CN comprise and speculate on the implications of CN structure and physiology for our understanding of adult cerebellar function. Based on this thorough review of the adult literature we provide a comprehensive overview of CN embryonic development and, by comparing cerebellar structures in various chordate clades, propose an interpretation of CN evolution. Despite their critical importance in cerebellar function, from a clinical perspective intriguingly few, if any, neurological disorders appear to primarily affect the CN. To highlight this curious anomaly, and encourage future nucleocentric interpretations, we build on our review to provide a brief overview of the various syndromes in which the CN are currently implicated. Finally, we summarize the specific perspectives that a nucleocentric view of the cerebellum brings, move major outstanding issues in CN biology to the limelight, and provide a roadmap to the key questions that need to be answered in order to create a comprehensive integrated model of CN structure, function, development, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus M Kebschull
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Filippo Casoni
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - G Giacomo Consalez
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, and San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Goldowitz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Richard Hawkes
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tom J H Ruigrok
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Karl Schilling
- Department of Anatomy, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, 53115, Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany
| | - Richard Wingate
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Joshua Wu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joanna Yeung
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Marylka Yoe Uusisaari
- Neuronal Rhythms in Movement Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-Son, Kunigami-Gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
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2
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Novello M, Bosman LWJ, De Zeeuw CI. A Systematic Review of Direct Outputs from the Cerebellum to the Brainstem and Diencephalon in Mammals. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:210-239. [PMID: 36575348 PMCID: PMC10864519 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01499-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum is involved in many motor, autonomic and cognitive functions, and new tasks that have a cerebellar contribution are discovered on a regular basis. Simultaneously, our insight into the functional compartmentalization of the cerebellum has markedly improved. Additionally, studies on cerebellar output pathways have seen a renaissance due to the development of viral tracing techniques. To create an overview of the current state of our understanding of cerebellar efferents, we undertook a systematic review of all studies on monosynaptic projections from the cerebellum to the brainstem and the diencephalon in mammals. This revealed that important projections from the cerebellum, to the motor nuclei, cerebral cortex, and basal ganglia, are predominantly di- or polysynaptic, rather than monosynaptic. Strikingly, most target areas receive cerebellar input from all three cerebellar nuclei, showing a convergence of cerebellar information at the output level. Overall, there appeared to be a large level of agreement between studies on different species as well as on the use of different types of neural tracers, making the emerging picture of the cerebellar output areas a solid one. Finally, we discuss how this cerebellar output network is affected by a range of diseases and syndromes, with also non-cerebellar diseases having impact on cerebellar output areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuele Novello
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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3
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Broersen R, Albergaria C, Carulli D, Carey MR, Canto CB, De Zeeuw CI. Synaptic mechanisms for associative learning in the cerebellar nuclei. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7459. [PMID: 37985778 PMCID: PMC10662440 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43227-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Associative learning during delay eyeblink conditioning (EBC) depends on an intact cerebellum. However, the relative contribution of changes in the cerebellar nuclei to learning remains a subject of ongoing debate. In particular, little is known about the changes in synaptic inputs to cerebellar nuclei neurons that take place during EBC and how they shape the membrane potential of these neurons. Here, we probed the ability of these inputs to support associative learning in mice, and investigated structural and cell-physiological changes within the cerebellar nuclei during learning. We find that optogenetic stimulation of mossy fiber afferents to the anterior interposed nucleus (AIP) can substitute for a conditioned stimulus and is sufficient to elicit conditioned responses (CRs) that are adaptively well-timed. Further, EBC induces structural changes in mossy fiber and inhibitory inputs, but not in climbing fiber inputs, and it leads to changes in subthreshold processing of AIP neurons that correlate with conditioned eyelid movements. The changes in synaptic and spiking activity that precede the CRs allow for a decoder to distinguish trials with a CR. Our data reveal how structural and physiological modifications of synaptic inputs to cerebellar nuclei neurons can facilitate learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Broersen
- Department of Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Catarina Albergaria
- Neuroscience Program, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
- University College London, Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, London, UK
| | - Daniela Carulli
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Megan R Carey
- Neuroscience Program, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Cathrin B Canto
- Department of Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Department of Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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4
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Beekhof GC, Gornati SV, Canto CB, Libster AM, Schonewille M, De Zeeuw CI, Hoebeek FE. Activity of Cerebellar Nuclei Neurons Correlates with ZebrinII Identity of Their Purkinje Cell Afferents. Cells 2021; 10:2686. [PMID: 34685666 PMCID: PMC8534335 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purkinje cells (PCs) in the cerebellar cortex can be divided into at least two main subpopulations: one subpopulation that prominently expresses ZebrinII (Z+), and shows a relatively low simple spike firing rate, and another that hardly expresses ZebrinII (Z-) and shows higher baseline firing rates. Likewise, the complex spike responses of PCs, which are evoked by climbing fiber inputs and thus reflect the activity of the inferior olive (IO), show the same dichotomy. However, it is not known whether the target neurons of PCs in the cerebellar nuclei (CN) maintain this bimodal distribution. Electrophysiological recordings in awake adult mice show that the rate of action potential firing of CN neurons that receive input from Z+ PCs was consistently lower than that of CN neurons innervated by Z- PCs. Similar in vivo recordings in juvenile and adolescent mice indicated that the firing frequency of CN neurons correlates to the ZebrinII identity of the PC afferents in adult, but not postnatal stages. Finally, the spontaneous action potential firing pattern of adult CN neurons recorded in vitro revealed no significant differences in intrinsic pacemaking activity between ZebrinII identities. Our findings indicate that all three main components of the olivocerebellar loop, i.e., PCs, IO neurons and CN neurons, operate at a higher rate in the Z- modules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerrit C. Beekhof
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (G.C.B.); (S.V.G.)
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Simona V. Gornati
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (G.C.B.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Cathrin B. Canto
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Avraham M. Libster
- Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel;
| | - Martijn Schonewille
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (G.C.B.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Chris I. De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (G.C.B.); (S.V.G.)
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Freek E. Hoebeek
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (G.C.B.); (S.V.G.)
- Department for Developmental Origins of Disease, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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5
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Judd EN, Lewis SM, Person AL. Diverse inhibitory projections from the cerebellar interposed nucleus. eLife 2021; 10:e66231. [PMID: 34542410 PMCID: PMC8483738 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum consists of parallel circuit modules that contribute to diverse behaviors, spanning motor to cognitive. Recent work employing cell-type-specific tracing has identified circumscribed output channels of the cerebellar nuclei (CbN) that could confer tight functional specificity. These studies have largely focused on excitatory projections of the CbN, however, leaving open the question of whether inhibitory neurons also constitute multiple output modules. We mapped output and input patterns to intersectionally restricted cell types of the interposed and adjacent interstitial nuclei in mice. In contrast to the widespread assumption of primarily excitatory outputs and restricted inferior olive-targeting inhibitory output, we found that inhibitory neurons from this region ramified widely within the brainstem, targeting both motor- and sensory-related nuclei, distinct from excitatory output targets. Despite differences in output targeting, monosynaptic rabies tracing revealed largely shared afferents to both cell classes. We discuss the potential novel functional roles for inhibitory outputs in the context of cerebellar theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena N Judd
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
| | - Samantha M Lewis
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
| | - Abigail L Person
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraUnited States
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6
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Guo JZ, Sauerbrei BA, Cohen JD, Mischiati M, Graves AR, Pisanello F, Branson KM, Hantman AW. Disrupting cortico-cerebellar communication impairs dexterity. eLife 2021; 10:e65906. [PMID: 34324417 PMCID: PMC8321550 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
To control reaching, the nervous system must generate large changes in muscle activation to drive the limb toward the target, and must also make smaller adjustments for precise and accurate behavior. Motor cortex controls the arm through projections to diverse targets across the central nervous system, but it has been challenging to identify the roles of cortical projections to specific targets. Here, we selectively disrupt cortico-cerebellar communication in the mouse by optogenetically stimulating the pontine nuclei in a cued reaching task. This perturbation did not typically block movement initiation, but degraded the precision, accuracy, duration, or success rate of the movement. Correspondingly, cerebellar and cortical activity during movement were largely preserved, but differences in hand velocity between control and stimulation conditions predicted from neural activity were correlated with observed velocity differences. These results suggest that while the total output of motor cortex drives reaching, the cortico-cerebellar loop makes small adjustments that contribute to the successful execution of this dexterous movement.
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7
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Sathyamurthy A, Barik A, Dobrott CI, Matson KJE, Stoica S, Pursley R, Chesler AT, Levine AJ. Cerebellospinal Neurons Regulate Motor Performance and Motor Learning. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107595. [PMID: 32402292 PMCID: PMC7263484 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the neural basis of behavior, it is important to reveal how movements are planned, executed, and refined by networks of neurons distributed throughout the nervous system. Here, we report the neuroanatomical organization and behavioral roles of cerebellospinal (CeS) neurons. Using intersectional genetic techniques, we find that CeS neurons constitute a small minority of excitatory neurons in the fastigial and interpositus deep cerebellar nuclei, target pre-motor circuits in the ventral spinal cord and the brain, and control distinct aspects of movement. CeS neurons that project to the ipsilateral cervical cord are required for skilled forelimb performance, while CeS neurons that project to the contralateral cervical cord are involved in skilled locomotor learning. Together, this work establishes CeS neurons as a critical component of the neural circuitry for skilled movements and provides insights into the organizational logic of motor networks. Sathyamurthy et al. define the organization, function, and targets of cerebellospinal neurons, revealing a direct link between the deep cerebellar nuclei and motor execution circuits in the spinal cord and demonstrating a role for these neurons in motor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Sathyamurthy
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Arnab Barik
- Sensory Cells and Circuits Section, National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Courtney I Dobrott
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kaya J E Matson
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stefan Stoica
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Randall Pursley
- Signal Processing and Instrumentation Section, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alexander T Chesler
- Sensory Cells and Circuits Section, National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ariel J Levine
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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8
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Brockett AT, Roesch MR. Reactive and Proactive Adaptation of Cognitive and Motor Neural Signals during Performance of a Stop-Change Task. Brain Sci 2021; 11:617. [PMID: 34064876 PMCID: PMC8151620 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11050617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to inhibit or suppress unwanted or inappropriate actions, is an essential component of executive function and cognitive health. The immense selective pressure placed on maintaining inhibitory control processes is exemplified by the relatively small number of instances in which these systems completely fail in the average person's daily life. Although mistakes and errors do inevitably occur, inhibitory control systems not only ensure that this number is low, but have also adapted behavioral strategies to minimize future failures. The ability of our brains to adapt our behavior and appropriately engage proper motor responses is traditionally depicted as the primary domain of frontal brain areas, despite evidence to the fact that numerous other brain areas contribute. Using the stop-signal task as a common ground for comparison, we review a large body of literature investigating inhibitory control processes across frontal, temporal, and midbrain structures, focusing on our recent work in rodents, in an effort to understand how the brain biases action selection and adapts to the experience of conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T. Brockett
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Matthew R. Roesch
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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9
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Miterko LN, Lin T, Zhou J, van der Heijden ME, Beckinghausen J, White JJ, Sillitoe RV. Neuromodulation of the cerebellum rescues movement in a mouse model of ataxia. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1295. [PMID: 33637754 PMCID: PMC7910465 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21417-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) relieves motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease, and other movement disorders. Here, we demonstrate the potential benefits of DBS in a model of ataxia by targeting the cerebellum, a major motor center in the brain. We use the Car8 mouse model of hereditary ataxia to test the potential of using cerebellar nuclei DBS plus physical activity to restore movement. While low-frequency cerebellar DBS alone improves Car8 mobility and muscle function, adding skilled exercise to the treatment regimen additionally rescues limb coordination and stepping. Importantly, the gains persist in the absence of further stimulation. Because DBS promotes the most dramatic improvements in mice with early-stage ataxia, we postulated that cerebellar circuit function affects stimulation efficacy. Indeed, genetically eliminating Purkinje cell neurotransmission blocked the ability of DBS to reduce ataxia. These findings may be valuable in devising future DBS strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N. Miterko
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XProgram in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.416975.80000 0001 2200 2638Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Tao Lin
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.416975.80000 0001 2200 2638Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Joy Zhou
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.416975.80000 0001 2200 2638Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Meike E. van der Heijden
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.416975.80000 0001 2200 2638Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Jaclyn Beckinghausen
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.416975.80000 0001 2200 2638Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Joshua J. White
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.416975.80000 0001 2200 2638Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Roy V. Sillitoe
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XProgram in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.416975.80000 0001 2200 2638Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDevelopment, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
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10
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Abstract
A number of notions in the fields of motor control and kinesthetic perception have been used without clear definitions. In this review, we consider definitions for efference copy, percept, and sense of effort based on recent studies within the physical approach, which assumes that the neural control of movement is based on principles of parametric control and involves defining time-varying profiles of spatial referent coordinates for the effectors. The apparent redundancy in both motor and perceptual processes is reconsidered based on the principle of abundance. Abundance of efferent and afferent signals is viewed as the means of stabilizing both salient action characteristics and salient percepts formalized as stable manifolds in high-dimensional spaces of relevant elemental variables. This theoretical scheme has led recently to a number of novel predictions and findings. These include, in particular, lower accuracy in perception of variables produced by elements involved in a multielement task compared with the same elements in single-element tasks, dissociation between motor and perceptual effects of muscle coactivation, force illusions induced by muscle vibration, and errors in perception of unintentional drifts in performance. Taken together, these results suggest that participation of efferent signals in perception frequently involves distorted copies of actual neural commands, particularly those to antagonist muscles. Sense of effort is associated with such distorted efferent signals. Distortions in efference copy happen spontaneously and can also be caused by changes in sensory signals, e.g., those produced by muscle vibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L Latash
- Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
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11
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Thanawalla AR, Chen AI, Azim E. The Cerebellar Nuclei and Dexterous Limb Movements. Neuroscience 2020; 450:168-183. [PMID: 32652173 PMCID: PMC7688491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Dexterous forelimb movements like reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects are fundamental building blocks of the mammalian motor repertoire. These behaviors are essential to everyday activities, and their elaboration underlies incredible accomplishments by human beings in art and sport. Moreover, the susceptibility of these behaviors to damage and disease of the nervous system can lead to debilitating deficits, highlighting a need for a better understanding of function and dysfunction in sensorimotor control. The cerebellum is central to coordinating limb movements, as defined in large part by Joseph Babinski and Gordon Holmes describing motor impairment in patients with cerebellar lesions over 100 years ago (Babinski, 1902; Holmes, 1917), and supported by many important human and animal studies that have been conducted since. Here, with a focus on output pathways of the cerebellar nuclei across mammalian species, we describe forelimb movement deficits observed when cerebellar circuits are perturbed, the mechanisms through which these circuits influence motor output, and key challenges in defining how the cerebellum refines limb movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha R Thanawalla
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Albert I Chen
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore; A*STAR, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 308232, Singapore.
| | - Eiman Azim
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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12
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Doykos TK, Gilmer JI, Person AL, Felsen G. Monosynaptic inputs to specific cell types of the intermediate and deep layers of the superior colliculus. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:2254-2268. [PMID: 32080842 PMCID: PMC8032550 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The intermediate and deep layers of the midbrain superior colliculus (SC) are a key locus for several critical functions, including spatial attention, multisensory integration, and behavioral responses. While the SC is known to integrate input from a variety of brain regions, progress in understanding how these inputs contribute to SC-dependent functions has been hindered by the paucity of data on innervation patterns to specific types of SC neurons. Here, we use G-deleted rabies virus-mediated monosynaptic tracing to identify inputs to excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the intermediate and deep SC. We observed stronger and more numerous projections to excitatory than inhibitory SC neurons. However, a subpopulation of excitatory neurons thought to mediate behavioral output received weaker inputs, from far fewer brain regions, than the overall population of excitatory neurons. Additionally, extrinsic inputs tended to target rostral excitatory and inhibitory SC neurons more strongly than their caudal counterparts, and commissural SC neurons tended to project to similar rostrocaudal positions in the other SC. Our findings support the view that active intrinsic processes are critical to SC-dependent functions, and will enable the examination of how specific inputs contribute to these functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted K Doykos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jesse I Gilmer
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Abigail L Person
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Gidon Felsen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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13
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Neural Signals in Red Nucleus during Reactive and Proactive Adjustments in Behavior. J Neurosci 2020; 40:4715-4726. [PMID: 32376779 PMCID: PMC7294803 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2775-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to adjust behavior is an essential component of cognitive control. Much is known about frontal and striatal processes that support cognitive control, but few studies have investigated how motor signals change during reactive and proactive adjustments in motor output. To address this, we characterized neural signals in red nucleus (RN), a brain region linked to motor control, as male and female rats performed a novel variant of the stop-signal task. We found that activity in RN represented the direction of movement and was strongly correlated with movement speed. Additionally, we found that directional movement signals were amplified on STOP trials before completion of the response and that the strength of RN signals was modulated when rats exhibited cognitive control. These results provide the first evidence that neural signals in RN integrate cognitive control signals to reshape motor outcomes reactively within trials and proactivity across them.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Healthy human behavior requires the suppression or inhibition of errant or maladaptive motor responses, often called cognitive control. While much is known about how frontal brain regions facilitate cognitive control, less is known about how motor regions respond to rapid and unexpected changes in action selection. To address this, we recorded from neurons in the red nucleus, a motor region thought to be important for initiating movement in rats performing a cognitive control task. We show that red nucleus tracks motor plans and that selectivity was modulated on trials that required shifting from one motor response to another. Collectively, these findings suggest that red nucleus contributes to modulating motor behavior during cognitive control.
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14
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Sathyanesan A, Zhou J, Scafidi J, Heck DH, Sillitoe RV, Gallo V. Emerging connections between cerebellar development, behaviour and complex brain disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2019; 20:298-313. [PMID: 30923348 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-019-0152-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human cerebellum has a protracted developmental timeline compared with the neocortex, expanding the window of vulnerability to neurological disorders. As the cerebellum is critical for motor behaviour, it is not surprising that most neurodevelopmental disorders share motor deficits as a common sequela. However, evidence gathered since the late 1980s suggests that the cerebellum is involved in motor and non-motor function, including cognition and emotion. More recently, evidence indicates that major neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and Down syndrome have potential links to abnormal cerebellar development. Out of recent findings from clinical and preclinical studies, the concept of the 'cerebellar connectome' has emerged that can be used as a framework to link the role of cerebellar development to human behaviour, disease states and the design of better therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Sathyanesan
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Joy Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph Scafidi
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Detlef H Heck
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vittorio Gallo
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA. .,George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
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15
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Low AYT, Thanawalla AR, Yip AKK, Kim J, Wong KLL, Tantra M, Augustine GJ, Chen AI. Precision of Discrete and Rhythmic Forelimb Movements Requires a Distinct Neuronal Subpopulation in the Interposed Anterior Nucleus. Cell Rep 2019; 22:2322-2333. [PMID: 29490269 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) represent output channels of the cerebellum, and they transmit integrated sensorimotor signals to modulate limb movements. But the functional relevance of identifiable neuronal subpopulations within the DCN remains unclear. Here, we examine a genetically tractable population of neurons in the mouse interposed anterior nucleus (IntA). We show that these neurons represent a subset of glutamatergic neurons in the IntA and constitute a specific element of an internal feedback circuit within the cerebellar cortex and cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway associated with limb control. Ablation and optogenetic stimulation of these neurons disrupt efficacy of skilled reach and locomotor movement and reveal that they control positioning and timing of the forelimb and hindlimb. Together, our findings uncover the function of a distinct neuronal subpopulation in the deep cerebellum and delineate the anatomical substrates and kinematic parameters through which it modulates precision of discrete and rhythmic limb movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Y T Low
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute for Health Technologies, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Singapore 637553, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ayesha R Thanawalla
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Alaric K K Yip
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute for Health Technologies, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Singapore 637553, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jinsook Kim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Kelly L L Wong
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Martesa Tantra
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - George J Augustine
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, Singapore 308232, Singapore; A(∗)STAR, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Albert I Chen
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; A(∗)STAR, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore 138673, Singapore.
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16
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Becker MI, Person AL. Cerebellar Control of Reach Kinematics for Endpoint Precision. Neuron 2019; 103:335-348.e5. [PMID: 31174960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum is well appreciated to impart speed, smoothness, and precision to skilled movements such as reaching. How these functions are executed by the final output stage of the cerebellum, the cerebellar nuclei, remains unknown. Here, we identify a causal relationship between cerebellar output and mouse reach kinematics and show how that relationship is leveraged endogenously to enhance reach precision. Activity in the anterior interposed nucleus (IntA) was remarkably well aligned to reach endpoint, scaling with the magnitude of limb deceleration. Closed-loop optogenetic modulation of IntA activity, triggered on reach, supported a causal role for this activity in controlling reach velocity in real time. Relating endogenous neural variability to kinematic variability, we found that IntA endpoint activity is adaptively engaged relative to variations in initial reach velocity, supporting endpoint precision. Taken together, these results provide a framework for understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of the intermediate cerebellum during precise skilled movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew I Becker
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Abigail L Person
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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17
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Person AL. Corollary Discharge Signals in the Cerebellum. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:813-819. [PMID: 31230918 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The cerebellum is known to make movements fast, smooth, and accurate. Many hypotheses emphasize the role of the cerebellum in computing learned predictions important for sensorimotor calibration and feedforward control of movements. Hypotheses of the computations performed by the cerebellum in service of motor control borrow heavily from control systems theory, with models that frequently invoke copies of motor commands, called corollary discharge. This review describes evidence for corollary discharge inputs to the cerebellum and highlights the hypothesized roles for this information in cerebellar motor-related computations. Insights into the role of corollary discharge in motor control, described here, are intended to inform the exciting but still untested roles of corollary discharge in cognition, perception, and thought control relevant in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Person
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
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18
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Apps R, Hawkes R, Aoki S, Bengtsson F, Brown AM, Chen G, Ebner TJ, Isope P, Jörntell H, Lackey EP, Lawrenson C, Lumb B, Schonewille M, Sillitoe RV, Spaeth L, Sugihara I, Valera A, Voogd J, Wylie DR, Ruigrok TJH. Cerebellar Modules and Their Role as Operational Cerebellar Processing Units: A Consensus paper [corrected]. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2018; 17:654-682. [PMID: 29876802 PMCID: PMC6132822 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0952-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The compartmentalization of the cerebellum into modules is often used to discuss its function. What, exactly, can be considered a module, how do they operate, can they be subdivided and do they act individually or in concert are only some of the key questions discussed in this consensus paper. Experts studying cerebellar compartmentalization give their insights on the structure and function of cerebellar modules, with the aim of providing an up-to-date review of the extensive literature on this subject. Starting with an historical perspective indicating that the basis of the modular organization is formed by matching olivocorticonuclear connectivity, this is followed by consideration of anatomical and chemical modular boundaries, revealing a relation between anatomical, chemical, and physiological borders. In addition, the question is asked what the smallest operational unit of the cerebellum might be. Furthermore, it has become clear that chemical diversity of Purkinje cells also results in diversity of information processing between cerebellar modules. An additional important consideration is the relation between modular compartmentalization and the organization of the mossy fiber system, resulting in the concept of modular plasticity. Finally, examination of cerebellar output patterns suggesting cooperation between modules and recent work on modular aspects of emotional behavior are discussed. Despite the general consensus that the cerebellum has a modular organization, many questions remain. The authors hope that this joint review will inspire future cerebellar research so that we are better able to understand how this brain structure makes its vital contribution to behavior in its most general form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Apps
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Richard Hawkes
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sho Aoki
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Japan
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fredrik Bengtsson
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Amanda M. Brown
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Timothy J. Ebner
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Philippe Isope
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Henrik Jörntell
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Elizabeth P. Lackey
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Charlotte Lawrenson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Bridget Lumb
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Martijn Schonewille
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roy V. Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Ludovic Spaeth
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Izumi Sugihara
- Department of Systems Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Antoine Valera
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jan Voogd
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Douglas R. Wylie
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Tom J. H. Ruigrok
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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