Download The Cerebellum - Amanda Parsons

Running head: THE CEREBELLUM
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Brain Area Report: The Cerebellum
Amanda Parsons
PSYS 657-A Clinical Neuroscience
October 2013
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Brain Are Report: The Cerebellum
The cerebellum is a large area of the brain located beneath the occipital lobes and behind
the brainstem at the base of the skull (Cozolino, 2006). It is a complex structure, referred to as
the “little brain,” and contains seventy percent of the nervous system’s neurons with as many as
1,000,000 connections. Your cerebellum is responsible for your motor coordination and attention
(Goldenberg, lecture, September 17, 2013). Newer information offers that the cerebellum plays
a part in cognitive processing and emotional control (Caplan & Schmahmann, 2006). With its
neural density and role in many different human functions, the cerebellum is an interesting area
of the brain to explore. See image in Figure 1 for the location of the cerebellum.
Figure 1 (Neuro Skills, 2013)
The cerebellum is thought of as the main sensory system. It evaluates and integrates
sensory input and relates it to motor function (Hannaford, 2005). One of the cerebellum’s many
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responsibilities is guiding the learning of movement. It coordinates the timing and range of
movements and muscle adjustments during both activation and rest. Simply put, it organizes
how we move (Hannaford, 2005). At the core of the cerebellum is a structure responsible for
functions related to equilibrium and balance, the vermis (Cozolino, 2006).
The cerebellum evolved with the brain and body’s increasing need for precise
movements, symbolic representations, and expressive communication. “Evidence suggests that
the cerebellum is involved in the neural networks of higher-order processes via modular
processing loops that provide timing functions for a diverse set of perceptual and emotional
tasks” (Cozolino, 2006). It is thought that the cerebellum is able to duplicate its role in the
motor system and apply that way of functioning in its connections to other systems. This
coordinating role might be key in the timing of language and in emotional regulation (Cozolino,
2006). In learning processes, computer imaging shows that the part of the brain which is most
active is the cerebellum (Hannaford, 2005).
The cerebellum’s link with the substantia niger that produces dopamine is responsible for
linking sensory-motor experiences with take coordinated actions. Dopamine is our
motivational chemical that sensitizes us to look for patterns, and sparks us to physically
explore and learn from our environment and each other (Hannaford, 2005).
As previously mentioned, the cerebellum is a part of the brainstem. Clinically speaking,
knowledge of this area of the brain can give us insight into what is really happening in our
behaviors and our motivational drives. The brainstem plays a large part in the reactive states of
fighting (with other people), freezing (in helplessness), or fleeing (from challenges) (Seigel,
2012). Without knowledge of this area and its role in these states, we can be confused or even
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shocked by our internal reactions and our behavior. In this confusion, some people are very
critical of their behavior and responses to the external environment. “Knowing about the brain
enhances self-compassion… Awareness permits us to have choices in how we behave” (Seigel,
2012). This enhanced awareness of how our brain and body works can lead to a more
empowered, integrated life for a client.
Cerebellar function is incoporated in the systems within us that govern our autonomic
function, emotion, sensory-motor control, and intellect (Caplan & Schmahmann, 2006). Damage
to the cerebellum affects many different aspects of a person’s life and functioning. “Cerebellar
damage appears to disrupt many of the very functions that serve as the basis for vital
interpersonal attunement” (Cozolino, 2012). In Autistic individuals there are often structural
irregularities in the cerebellum. The many fuctions affected by damage to the cerebellum include
emotion and cognition, shifting attention, language, affective regulation, anticipatory planning,
and mental imagery (Cozolino, 2012).
The cerebellum underlies, literally in location and functionality, all brain activity and
therefore all life. It is rich in neurons and connections. Cerebellar functioning affects so many
different aspects of our waking lives. It is an important brain area to explore and understand.
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References
Caplan, D., & Schmahmann, J. D. (2006). Cognition, emotion, and the cerebellum. Brain: A
Journal of Neurology, 129 (2), 290-292. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh729
Centre for Neuro Skills. (2013). Traumatic brain injury resource guide – cerebellum.
<http://www.neuroskills.com/brain-injury/cerebellum.php>.
Cozolino, L. (2006). The neuroscience of human relationships. New York, NY: Louis Cozolino.
Goldenberg, T. (2013). Class lecture, Gross anatomy of the human brain, Naropa University,
September 17.
Hannaford, C. (2005). Smart Moves: why learning is not all in your head. Salt Lake City, UT:
Carla Hannaford.
Seigel, D. J. (2012). Pocket guide to interpersonal neurobiology. New York, NY: Mind Your
Brain, Inc.