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Running head: THE CEREBELLUM 1 Brain Area Report: The Cerebellum Amanda Parsons PSYS 657-A Clinical Neuroscience October 2013 . THE CEREBELLUM 2 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 THE CEREBELLUM 3 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 THE CEREBELLUM 4 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. THE CEREBELLUM 5 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.