MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Cerebellum' source. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:05:39 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5659037&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22302669%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lu JH, Mao HN, Cao BB, Qiu YH, Peng YP Abstract Our previous work has shown that lesions of the cerebellar interposed nuclei (IN) suppress immune cell functions. Since there is no direct structural connection between the cerebellum and immune system, we explored the pathway mediating the cerebellar immunomodulation at the profile of cerebellohypothalamic projections to understand this modulation. Anterograde tracing of nerve tracts from the cerebellar IN to the hypothalamus was conducted by injection of anterograde tracer dextran-texas red (dextran-TR) in the cerebellar IN. We observed that dextran-TR-labeled nerve fibers, which were sent by cerebellar IN neurons, traveled in the superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP), crossed in SCP decussation, and entered the hypothalamus. ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5659037 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5659037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5659038&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22282266%26dopt%3DAbstract We report the case of a 67-year-old woman with tinnitus, whose cranial magnetic resonance images and selective catheter angiograms showed extensive cerebellar venous malformation with cavernous malformations and varix. Injury of vessel walls by increased blood flow in the draining vein of the malformation may have led to the development of cavernous malformations and a varix. To our knowledge, such association with an extensive cerebellar venous malformation has not been reported. PMID: 22282266 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5659038 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5659038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5659039&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22278661%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Uusisaari MY, Knöpfel T Abstract The afferent and efferent synaptic connections of the cerebellar nuclei (CN) place them in a key position where they can integrate sensory signals with the output from cerebellar cortex and to provide the main efferent pathway of the cerebellum. While this conclusion can be derived based on purely anatomical knowledge, it remains unknown in which manner the CN contributes to the generation of cerebellar output signals that are involved in creating timing signals and temporal patters. As a first step towards understanding the role neuronal circuits of the CN, the major CN neuronal types are now identified based on expression patterns of neurotransmitters (GABA and glycine) and characterized both in electrophysiological and morphological man... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5659039 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5659039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5659040&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22274811%26dopt%3DAbstract This study set out to characterise the pattern of planned gait termination in a sample of patients with cerebellar diseases. The gait termination phase was recorded, using a motion analysis system, in ten patients with primary degenerative cerebellar disease and in ten controls. The subjects were instructed to walk at different gait speeds and to stop in response to an acoustic signal. Time-distance parameters (step length, step width, double support duration, time-to-slow, stopping time, centre of mass velocity and number of steps) and stability index-related parameters (distance between the "extrapolated centre of mass" (XCoM) and centre of pressure (CoP)) were measured at both matched and self-selected gait speeds. At matched speed the patients, compared with the controls, showed a redu... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5659040 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5659040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5621618&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22258915%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jung BC, Choi SI, Du AX, Cuzzocreo JL, Geng ZZ, Ying HS, Perlman SL, Toga AW, Prince JL, Ying SH Abstract Although "cerebellar ataxia" is often used in reference to a disease process, presumably there are different underlying pathogenetic mechanisms for different subtypes. Indeed, spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 2 and 6 demonstrate complementary phenotypes, thus predicting a different anatomic pattern of degeneration. Here, we show that an unsupervised classification method, based on principal component analysis (PCA) of cerebellar shape characteristics, can be used to separate SCA2 and SCA6 into two classes, which may represent disease-specific archetypes. Patients with SCA2 (n = 11) and SCA6 (n = 7) were compared against controls (n = 15) using PCA to clas... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5621618 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5621618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5621620&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22249913%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ebner TJ, Wang X, Gao W, Cramer SW, Chen G Abstract At the molecular and circuitry levels, the cerebellum exhibits a striking parasagittal zonation as exemplified by the spatial distribution of molecules expressed on Purkinje cells and the topography of the afferent and efferent projections. The physiology and function of the zonation is less clear. Activity-dependent optical imaging has proven a useful tool to examine the physiological properties of the parasagittal zonation in the intact animal. Recent findings show that zebrin II-positive and zebrin II-negative zones differ markedly in their responses to parallel fiber inputs. These findings suggest that cerebellar cortical excitability, information processing, and synaptic plasticity depend on the intrinsic properties ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5621620 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5621620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5621619&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22249914%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dincer A, Ozcan U, Kaya D, Usseli MI, Erzen C, Pamir MN Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging findings (MRI) of asymptomatic remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) at the preoperative, early postoperative, and postoperative period. A total of 983 consecutive adult patients who underwent supratentorial craniotomies were included in the study. The ethics committee approved the study. The patient's clinical records and radiological examinations were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had preoperative CT and MRI examinations, immediate postoperative CT, and postoperative MRI within 24 h. The patients with the radiological diagnosis of RCH were followed up to 5 years. Eight asymptomatic RCH cases were recrui... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5621619 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5621619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5621621&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22230985%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Louis ED, Gillman A, Boschung S, Hess CW, Yu Q, Pullman SL Abstract Essential tremor (ET) is among the most prevalent neurological diseases, yet the location of the primary disease substrate continues to be a matter of debate. The presence of intention tremor and mild gait ataxia suggests an underlying abnormality of the cerebellum and/or cerebellar pathways. Uncovering additional signs of cerebellar dysfunction would further substantiate the proposition that ET is a disease of the cerebellar system. We evaluated 145 ET cases and 34 normal controls clinically and by computerized spiral analysis. Spiral analysis is a program that objectively characterizes kinematic and physiologic features of hand-drawn spirals using specific calculated spiral indices that correlate with sp... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5621621 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5621621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5578195&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22223133%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jolly S, Journiac N, Vernet-der Garabedian B, Mariani J Abstract Studies of staggerer mice, in which retinoid-related orphan receptor-alpha (RORα) is mutated, have provided new insights into the critical functions of RORα in various physiological processes in peripheral tissues and in the brain. Staggerer mice present an ataxic phenotype caused by a massive neurodegeneration in the cerebellum. As a result, most of studies have focused on the role of RORα in the development of the cerebellum. Recent studies have expanded the role of RORα to other structures and functions in the brain. RORα was considered to be exclusively expressed in neurons in the brain. Recently, it has been shown that, in addition to its neuronal expression, RORα is expressed in glial cells and pa... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5578195 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5578195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5578196&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22218975%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee SJ, Koh JS, Ryu CW, Lee SH Abstract The distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms located inside the internal auditory canal are rare. The association of the distal AICA aneurysms and an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on the same arterial trunk is exceptional. Eight reports of a total of ten cases have been published and all of the reported aneurysms were located in the meatal or postmeatal segment of the AICA. Herein, we report a case of ruptured aneurysm in the intrameatal portion of the AICA accompanying an AVM fed by the same artery. A 55-year-old man suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured intrameatal aneurysm with a small AVM underwent surgical trapping of the meatal loop, resulting in uneventful recovery. Follow-up angiograph... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5578196 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5578196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5560062&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22212558%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Saute JA, da Silva AC, Souza GN, Russo AD, Donis KC, Vedolin L, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Portela LV, Jardim LB PMID: 22212558 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5560062 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5560062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5560063&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22207338%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Frank B, Propson B, Göricke S, Jacobi H, Wild B, Timmann D PMID: 22207338 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5560063 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5560063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5560064&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22205440%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ganos C, Bernreuther C, Matschke J, Gerloff C, Münchau A, Leypoldt F PMID: 22205440 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5560064 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5560064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549932&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22203414%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koibuchi N PMID: 22203414 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549932 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549936&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198870%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we use 3D analytical methods to develop normative growth trajectories for the cerebellum in utero. We measured cerebellar volume, linear dimensions, and local surface curvature from 3D reconstructed MRI of the human fetal brain (N = 46). We found that cerebellar volume increased approximately 7-fold from 20 to 31 gestational weeks. The better fit of the exponential curve (R (2) = 0.96) compared to the linear curve (R (2) = 0.92) indicated acceleration in growth. Within-subject cerebellar and cerebral volumes were highly correlated (R (2) = 0.94), though the cerebellar percentage of total brain volume increased from approximately 2.4% to 3.7% (R (2) = 0.63). Right and left hemispheric volumes did not significantly di... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549936 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549935&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198871%26dopt%3DAbstract This study demonstrates that the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer and all four deep cerebellar nuclei consistently undergo considerable neuronal loss in SCA2 and SCA3. These cerebellar findings contribute substantially to the pathogenesis of clinical symptoms (i.e., dysarthria, intention tremor, oculomotor dysfunctions) of SCA2 and SCA3 patients and may facilitate the identification of the initial pathological alterations of the pathological processes of SCA2 and SCA3 and reconstruction of its spread through the brain. PMID: 22198871 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549935 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549934&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198872%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tsutsui K Abstract The formation of the mammalian cerebellar cortex becomes complete in the neonate through the processes of migration of external granule cells, neuronal and glial growth, and synaptogenesis. In the middle 1990s, we identified the Purkinje cell, a principal cerebellar neuron, as a major site for neurosteroid formation in mammals. This discovery has provided the opportunity to understand neuronal neurosteroidogenesis and neurosteroid actions on neuronal growth and synaptic formation in the cerebellum. Based on extensive studies on mammals over the past decade, we now know that the Purkinje cell actively synthesizes progesterone and estradiol de novo from cholesterol during neonatal life, when cerebellar neuronal circuit formation occurs. Both progesterone a... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549934 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549933&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198873%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Haraguchi S, Sasahara K, Shikimi H, Honda SI, Harada N, Tsutsui K Abstract Neurosteroids are synthesized de novo from cholesterol in the brain. In rodents, the Purkinje cell actively produces several kinds of neurosteroids including estradiol during neonatal life, when cerebellar neuronal circuit formation occurs. Estradiol may be involved in cerebellar neuronal circuit formation through promoting neuronal growth and synaptic contact, because the Purkinje cell expresses estrogen receptor-β. To test this hypothesis, in this study we examined the effect of estradiol on dendritic growth, spinogenesis, and synaptogenesis in the Purkinje cell using neonatal wild-type (WT) mice or cytochrome P450 aromatase knock-out (ArKO) mice. Administration of estradiol to neonatal WT or ArK... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549933 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549937&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22194041%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kano M, Hashimoto K Abstract Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) of newborn rodents are innervated by multiple climbing fibers (CFs). During the first postnatal week, single CFs are strengthened relative to other CFs on the somata of individual PCs. Then, the strengthened CFs undergo translocation to PC dendrites after P9. Elimination of the weaker CFs occurs in two distinct steps, namely the early phase from P7 to around P12 and the late phase from about P12 to around P17. Our previous study demonstrates that CF synapse elimination is severely impaired in null mutant mice lacking Ca(v)2.1, a pore-forming component of P/Q-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel (VDCC). To examine the contribution of postsynaptic P/Q-type VDCC to postnatal rearrangement of CFs, we generated mice ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549937 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534703&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22161499%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Manto M, Bower JM, Conforto AB, Delgado-García JM, da Guarda SN, Gerwig M, Habas C, Hagura N, Ivry RB, Mariën P, Molinari M, Naito E, Nowak DA, Oulad Ben Taib N, Pelisson D, Tesche CD, Tilikete C, Timmann D Abstract Considerable progress has been made in developing models of cerebellar function in sensorimotor control, as well as in identifying key problems that are the focus of current investigation. In this consensus paper, we discuss the literature on the role of the cerebellar circuitry in motor control, bringing together a range of different viewpoints. The following topics are covered: oculomotor control, classical conditioning (evidence in animals and in humans), cerebellar control of motor speech, control of grip forces, control of voluntary limb movements, timin... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534703 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534702&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22161500%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cho SS, Yoon EJ, Bang SA, Park HS, Kim YK, Strafella AP, Kim SE Abstract To better understand the functional role of cerebellum within the large-scale cerebellocerebral neural network, we investigated the changes of neuronal activity elicited by cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET). Twelve right-handed healthy volunteers were studied with brain FDG PET under two conditions: active rTMS of 1 Hz frequency over the left lateral cerebellum and sham stimulation. Compared to the sham condition, active rTMS induced decreased glucose metabolism in the stimulated left lateral cerebellum, the areas known to be involved in voluntary motor movement (supplementary motor area and poste... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534702 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534704&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22144210%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Joo BE, Lee CN, Park KW Abstract Cerebellar ataxia (hereinafter referred to as CA) designate a group of neurodegenerative disorders. CA is distinguished into a group of hereditary and non-hereditary disorders. CA shows clinically progressive features and accompanies various neurological abnormalities. However, there are very few studies and case reports in Korean patients. To estimate the prevalence rate and current status of the CA patients in Korea, we used data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS) and from the National Health Insurance Corporation. To evaluate the functional status of CA patient in Korea, we conducted a simple random sampling among the 500 members of Korea Ataxia Society registered on its homepage. We evaluated the functional ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534704 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534705&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22116659%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Toledano A, Alvarez MI, Monleón E, Toledano-Díaz A, Badiola JJ, Monzón M Abstract Calretinin (CR)-immunopositive cells and fibres in the cerebellar cortex (vermal archicerebellum and neocerebellum) of scrapie-affected, ARQ/ARQ, Rasa Aragonesa breed sheep were studied in comparison with healthy, young and aged, ARQ/ARQ, Rasa Aragonesa animals and with Manchega breed sheep. The scrapie-affected sheep showed signs of both cellular involution and hypertrophic/hyperimmunoreactive responses in all neuronal subtypes; the distribution of the neuronal subtypes in the archi- and neocerebellum, however, did not change compared with controls. The results suggest that the different CR expression and/or CR content of cerebellar cortical neurons in scrapie-affected sheep are more rela... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534705 Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534706&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22116658%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Groiss SJ, Ugawa Y Abstract The cerebellum plays an important role in movement execution and motor control by modulation of the primary motor cortex (M1) through cerebello-thalamo-cortical connections. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows direct investigations of neural networks by stimulating neural structures in humans noninvasively. The motor evoked potential to single-pulse TMS of M1 is used to measure the motor cortical excitability. A conditioning stimulus over the cerebellum preceding a test stimulus of the contralateral M1 enables us to study the cerebellar regulatory functions on M1. In this brief review, we describe this cerebellar stimulation method and its usefulness as a diagnostic tool in clinical neurophysiology. PMID: 22116658 [PubMed - as sup... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534706 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534708&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22113500%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yuzaki M Abstract The δ2 glutamate receptor (GluD2) is predominantly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and plays crucial roles in cerebellar functions. Indeed, the number of synapses between parallel fibers (PFs) and Purkinje cells is specifically and severely reduced in GluD2-null cerebellum. In addition, long-term depression (LTD) at PF-Purkinje cell synapses is impaired in these mice. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which GluD2 regulate these two functions-morphological and functional synaptic plasticity at PF synapses-has remained unclear. Recently, we found that Cbln1, a glycoprotein released from granule cells, was bound to the N-terminal domain of GluD2 and regulated formation and maintenance of PF-Purkinje cell synapses. Furthermore, we found that D: -Ser rele... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534708 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534707&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22113501%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Manto M, Haines D Abstract Numerous laboratories currently focus their activities on cerebellar research. The cerebellum is attractive due to its sophisticated circuitry, high degree of modifiability combined with unique operational mechanisms, and the growing awareness of its multiple roles. Works of pioneers of these last two centuries, such as Rolando, Flourens, Magendie, Luciani, Lugaro, Babinski, Holmes, Cajal, Larsell, Eccles, Voogd, Llinas, or Ito, still exert a strong influence in the way we investigate cerebellar functions. The amount of knowledge is exploding, thanks to advances in genetics, molecular and cellular analyses, profusion of brain imaging techniques, novel behavioral assessments, and reshaping of models of cerebellar function. More than ever, strong a... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534707 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5420223&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22090364%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leto K, Rossi F Abstract Cerebellar GABAergic projection neurons and interneurons originate from the ventricular neuroepithelium of the cerebellar primordium. However, while projection neurons are born within this germinal layer, interneurons derive from progenitors that delaminate into the prospective white matter. In spite of this common origin, the two main classes of GABAergic neurons are generated according to distinct strategies. Projection neurons are committed to their fate at early ontogenetic stages and acquire their mature phenotypes through cell-autonomous mechanisms. On the contrary, the different categories of cerebellar interneurons derive from a single pool of multipotent progenitors, whose fate choices, production rates and differentiation schedules are st... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5420223 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5420223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5420222&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22090365%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hirano T, Kawaguchi SY Abstract Inhibitory synapses on Purkinje cells show synaptic plasticity such as rebound potentiation (RP), which seems to contribute to refined information processing in the cerebellar cortex. Recent progress in the study on regulation mechanism of RP is reported. RP is induced by depolarization of a Purkinje cell and expressed as the increased postsynaptic responsiveness to GABA. RP might work as a homeostatic mechanism to maintain activity of a Purkinje cell sensing the strength of heterosynaptic excitatory inputs. However, there is a homosynaptic mechanism to regulate RP. RP is suppressed by the GABAergic transmission occurring during depolarization. Elaborate molecular regulation mechanism of RP induction, including GABA(B) receptors, Ca(2+), cyc... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5420222 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5420222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5420221&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22090366%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we present evidence that low BMI is not only present in SCA3/MJD, but is also directly related to the length of the expanded CAG repeats, which is the causative mutation of the disease. This association points that weight loss might be a primary disturbance of SCA3/MJD, although further detailed analyses are necessary for a better understanding of the nutritional deficit and its role in the pathophysiology of SCA3/MJD. PMID: 22090366 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5420221 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5420221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5420224&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22086224%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miyai I Abstract Cerebellar Ataxia Rehabilitation trial tested if intensive rehabilitation improved ataxia, gait, and activities of daily living (ADLs) in 42 patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases. They were randomly assigned to the immediate intervention group or the delayed-entry control group. The immediate group received 1 h physical and 1 h occupational therapy for 4 weeks and delayed-entry control group received the same intervention after 4-week delay. The immediate group showed significantly greater functional gains in ataxia, gait speed, and ADLs than control. The improvements in ataxia and gait speed were sustained at 12 and 24 weeks after the intervention, respectively. Further strategies inducing meaningful gains for a longer period should be invest... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5420224 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5420224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5420225&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22076800%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we explored if targeted deprivation of PC specific calcium-binding protein calbindin-D28k (CaB) exacerbates ataxin-1 mediated toxicity in SCA1 transgenic (Tg) mice. Using behavioral tests, we found that though both SCA1/+ and SCA1/+: CaB null (-/+) double mutants exhibited progressive impaired performance on the rotating rod, a simultaneous enhancement of exploratory activity, and absence of deficits in coordination, the double mutants were more severely impaired than SCA1/+ mice. With increasing age, SCA1/+ mice showed a progressive loss in the expression and localization of CaB and other PC specific calcium-binding and signaling proteins. In double mutants, these changes were more pronounced and had an earlier onset. Gene expression profiling of young mice exhibiting no be... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5420225 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5420225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5420226&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22068584%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koziol LF, Budding DE, Chidekel D Abstract This paper posits that the brain evolved for the control of action rather than for the development of cognition per se. We note that the terms commonly used to describe brain-behavior relationships define, and in many ways limit, how we conceptualize and investigate them and may therefore constrain the questions we ask and the utility of the "answers" we generate. Many constructs are so nonspecific and over-inclusive as to be scientifically meaningless. "Executive function" is one such term in common usage. As the construct is increasingly focal in neuroscience research, defining it clearly is critical. We propose a definition that places executive function within a model of continuous sensorimotor interaction with the environment... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5420226 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5420226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379718&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22038693%26dopt%3DAbstract We report an adult patient with PFS after surgical evacuation of a cerebellar bleeding. After 45 days of (akinetic) mutism, the patient's cognitive and behavioural profile closely resembled the "cerebellar cognitive-affective syndrome". A quantified SPECT study showed perfusional deficits in the anatomoclinically suspected supratentorial areas, subserving language dynamics, executive functioning, spatial cognition and affective regulation. We hypothesize that cerebello-cerebral diaschisis might be an important pathophysiological mechanism underlying akinetic mutism, cognitive deficits and behavioural-affective changes in adult patients with PFS. PMID: 22038693 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379718 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5361195&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22015705%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sulkowski ZL, Chen T, Midha S, Zavacki AM, Sajdel-Sulkowska EM Abstract Methylmercury (Met-Hg) and ethylmercury (Et-Hg) are powerful toxicants with a range of harmful neurological effects in humans and animals. While Met-Hg is a recognized trigger of oxidative stress and an endocrine disruptor impacting neurodevelopment, the developmental neurotoxicity of Et-Hg, a metabolite of thimerosal (TM), has not been explored. We hypothesized that TM exposure during the perinatal period impairs central nervous system development, and specifically the cerebellum, by the mechanism involving oxidative stress. To test this, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) or Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat dams were exposed to TM (200 μg/kg body weight) during pregnancy (G10-G15) and lactation (P5-P10).... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5361195 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5361195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5361197&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22012410%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Casado M, O'Callaghan MM, Montero R, Pérez-Cerda C, Pérez B, Briones P, Quintana E, Muchart J, Aracil A, Pineda M, Artuch R Abstract Phosphomannomutase 2 deficiency (PMM2-CDG) patients may present as mild phenotypes, with the cerebellum frequently involved. In those cases, false-negative results in screening may occur when applying conventional biochemical procedures. Our aim was to report two patients with a diagnosis of PMM2-CDG presenting with mild clinical phenotype. Patient 1-at 9 months of age, she presented with just psychomotor delay, tremor, hypotonia, and slight lipodystrophy. Patient 2-she presented at 8 months of age with psychomotor delay, hand stereotypes, hypotonia, convergent bilateral strabismus, and tremor but no lipodystrophy. Routine biochemical par... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5361197 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5361197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5361196&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22012411%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Frank B, Propson B, Göricke S, Jacobi H, Wild B, Timmann D Abstract Humor is a complex behavior which includes cognitive, affective and motor responses. Based on observations of affective changes in patients with cerebellar lesions, the cerebellum may support cerebral and brainstem areas involved in understanding and appreciation of humorous stimuli and expression of laughter. The aim of the present study was to examine if humor appreciation, perception of humorous stimuli, and the succeeding facial reaction differ between patients with cerebellar degeneration and healthy controls. Twenty-three adults with pure cerebellar degeneration were compared with 23 age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy control subjects. No significant difference in humor appreciation and pe... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5361196 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5361196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5297403&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21975855%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Finch EA, Tanaka K, Augustine GJ Abstract Cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) is a form of long-term synaptic plasticity that is triggered by calcium (Ca(2+)) signals in the postsynaptic Purkinje cell. This Ca(2+) comes both from IP3-mediated release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores, as well as from Ca(2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. The Ca(2+) signal that triggers LTD occurs locally within dendritic spines and is due to supralinear summation of signals coming from these two Ca(2+) sources. The properties of this postsynaptic Ca(2+) signal can explain several features of LTD, such as its associativity, synapse specificity, and dependence on the timing of synaptic activity, and can account for the slow kinetics of LTD expression. Thus, from a Ca(2+) sign... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5297403 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5297403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5297402&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21975856%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Di Fabio R, Santorelli F, Bertini E, Balestri M, Cursi L, Tessa A, Pierelli F, Casali C Abstract Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a late-onset autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia caused by triplet CAG/CTG expansion in the ATX2 gene. The initial symptoms usually appear when subjects are in their 30s. Pediatric onset is less common and usually associated with larger triplet expansions. We here report the case of a 1-year-old girl who presented with facial dysmorphism, dystonic features, developmental delay, and retinitis pigmentosa. She was diagnosed as carrying an expanded CAG/CTG tract (92 repeats) before a molecular diagnosis of SCA2 was made in her father. Facial dysmorphism associated with developmental delay and retinitis pigmentosa in early childhood should pr... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5297402 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5297402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5297401&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21975857%26dopt%3DAbstract We report the first study that hyperglycemia (BS ≥ 140 mg/dl) on arrival and maximum diameter of hematoma ≥3 cm were found to be strong predictive factors of poor outcome at discharge in patients with acute spontaneous CH. PMID: 21975857 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5297401 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5297401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5297400&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21975858%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Braga-Neto P, Pedroso JL, Alessi H, Dutra LA, Felício AC, Minett T, Weisman P, Santos-Galduroz RF, Bertolucci PH, Gabbai AA, Barsottini OG Abstract The cerebellum is no longer considered a purely motor control device, and convincing evidence has demonstrated its relationship to cognitive and emotional neural circuits. The aims of the present study were to establish the core cognitive features in our patient population and to determine the presence of Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome (CCAS) in this group. We recruited 38 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) or Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)-SCA3/MJD and 31 controls. Data on disease status were recorded (disease duration, age, age at onset, ataxia severity, and CAG repeat length). The severity of cerebell... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5297400 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5297400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5297404&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21964941%26dopt%3DAbstract We described the disorders for which the instruments have been validated and used, the time spent in its application, its validated psychometric properties, and their use in studies of natural history and clinical trials. A search from 1997 onwards was performed in the MEDLINE, LILACS, and Cochrane databases. The web sites ClinicalTrials.gov and Orpha.net were also used to identify the endpoints used in ongoing randomized clinical trials. We identified and described the semiquantitative ataxia scales (ICARS, SARA, MICARS, BARS); semiquantitative ataxia and non-ataxia scales (UMSARS, FARS, NESSCA); a semiquantitative non-ataxia scale (INAS); quantitative ataxia scales (CATSYS 2000, AFCS, CCFS and CCFSw, and SCAFI); and the self-performed ataxia scale (FAIS). SARA and ICARS were the best stu... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5297404 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5297404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218989&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21901523%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to estimate the extent to which total and regional cerebellar volumes are associated with developmental disabilities in a cohort of children with cerebellar malformations. Children aged 1 to 6 years with a diagnosis of cerebellar malformation underwent standardized outcome measures and quantitative magnetic resonance scanning. The cerebellum was parcellated into seven mediolateral zones (three for each hemisphere plus the vermis) for regional volume analysis. In children with cerebellar malformations, decreased total cerebellar volume was associated with delays in global development, expressive language, cognition, as well as gross and fine motor function. Decreased volume in the right lateral cerebellar hemisphere was related to impaired cognition, express... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218989 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218991&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21892625%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to determine the main causal diagnosis for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) in a geographically defined population of ataxia patients and to suggest a rational basis for choosing appropriate clinical and paraclinical assessments. Given the many aetiologies responsible for SCA, the diagnosis requires the performance of a wide range of paraclinical analyses. At present, there is no consensus on the diagnostic value of these examinations. Furthermore, most of the currently available data gathered by reference centres suffer from selection bias. We performed a prospective study of consecutive cerebellar ataxia patients referred by their family doctors to a university hospital in northern France. Multiple system atrophy and obvious secondary causes (e.g. alcoholism) ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218991 Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218990&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21892700%26dopt%3DAbstract This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activity associated with working memory in five opioid-dependent, methadone-maintained patients and five matched, healthy controls. An item recognition task was administered in two conditions: (1) a low working memory load "match" condition in which participants determined whether target letters presented at the beginning of the trial matched a probe item, and (2) a high working memory load "manipulation" condition in which participants counted two alphabetical letters forward of each of the targets and determined whether either of these new items matched a probe item. Response times and accuracy scores were not significantly different between the groups. FMRI analyses indicated that, in association with higher working ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218990 Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5176094&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21870131%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Todorov B, Kros L, Shyti R, Plak P, Haasdijk ED, Raike RS, Frants RR, Hess EJ, Hoebeek FE, De Zeeuw CI, van den Maagdenberg AM Abstract The Cacna1a gene encodes the α(1A) subunit of voltage-gated Ca(V)2.1 Ca(2+) channels that are involved in neurotransmission at central synapses. Ca(V)2.1-α(1)-knockout (α1KO) mice, which lack Ca(V)2.1 channels in all neurons, have a very severe phenotype of cerebellar ataxia and dystonia, and usually die around postnatal day 20. This early lethality, combined with the wide expression of Ca(V)2.1 channels throughout the cerebellar cortex and nuclei, prohibited determination of the contribution of particular cerebellar cell types to the development of the severe neurobiological phenotype in Cacna1a mutant mice. Here, we crossed condition... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5176094 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5176094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141379&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21850525%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we used manual delineation of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the spatial and temporal characteristics of the cerebellar atrophy in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). Ten subjects with SCA2 were compared to ten controls. The volume of the pons, the total cerebellum, and the individual cerebellar lobules were calculated via manual delineation of structural MRI. SCA2 showed substantial global atrophy of the cerebellum. Furthermore, the degeneration was lobule specific, selectively affecting the anterior lobe, VI, Crus I, Crus II, VIII, uvula, corpus medullare, and pons, while sparing VIIB, tonsil/paraflocculus, flocculus, declive, tuber/folium, pyramis, and nodulus. The temporal characteristics differed in each cerebellar subregion: (1) duratio... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141379 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141380&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21842246%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cattaneo L, Fasanelli M, Andreatta O, Bonifati DM, Barchiesi G, Caruana F Abstract Empirical evidence indicates that cognitive consequences of cerebellar lesions tend to be mild and less important than the symptoms due to lesions to cerebral areas. By contrast, imaging studies consistently report strong cerebellar activity during tasks of action observation and action understanding. This has been interpreted as part of the automatic motor simulation process that takes place in the context of action observation. The function of the cerebellum as a sequencer during executed movements makes it a good candidate, within the framework of embodied cognition, for a pivotal role in understanding the timing of action sequences. Here, we investigated a cohort of eight patients with c... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141380 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141381&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21833659%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jissendi-Tchofo P, Pandit F, Vallée L, Vinchon M, Pruvo JP, Baleriaux D, Ares GS Abstract We aimed to assess brain regional glucose uptake (rGlcU) changes in children with isolated cerebellar cortical dysplasia (CCD) using 18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Six children aged 9 months to 11 years at the time of diagnosis, carrying isolated CCD (with no other associated posterior fossa or supratentorial malformation) underwent a brain FDG-PET and a subsequent 3DT1-weighted MRI for coregistration. The MRIs acquired previously at the time of diagnosis were reviewed to record the cerebellar dysplastic features and classify the patients as having minor, moderate, or severe CCD. The individual rGlcU was assessed qualitatively on coregistrated FDG m... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141381 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141384&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21822545%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Oberdick J, Sillitoe RV Abstract The longitudinal and transverse zonal arrangement of axonal projections to and from the cerebellum, even more than the well-known laminar cytoarchitecture, is the hallmark of cerebellar anatomy. No model of cerebellar function, whether in motor control, cognition, or emotion, will be complete without understanding the development and function of zones. To this end, a special issue of this journal is dedicated to zones, and the purpose of this article is to summarize the research and review articles that are contained within. The special issue begins by considering some of the very first studies in the 1960s and 1970s that led to our modern understanding of this unique and defining anatomical substructure. Then, it considers the molecular an... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141384 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141383&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21822546%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Simpson JI Abstract The contention of this commentary, focused on the vestibulocerebellum (particularly the flocculus), is that the great importance for our understanding of cerebellar organization in terms of climbing fiber zones, begun years ago by Voogd [1, 2] and Oscarsson [3], needs to be matched by coming more to grips with the other fundamental geometrical organization of the cerebellum, the parallel fibers. The central issue is the selection of those parallel fiber signals to be transformed into Purkinje cell activity in the different zones. At present, in comparison to our knowledge of vestibulocerebellar climbing fiber inputs, the deficiencies in our knowledge of the zonal anatomy and physiology of vestibulocerebellar mossy fibers and granule cells are glaring. T... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141383 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141382&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21822547%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wenning GK, Granata R, Krismer F, Dürr S, Seppi K, Poewe W, Bleasdale-Barr K, Mathias CJ Abstract Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a cardinal feature of autonomic failure in multiple system atrophy (MSA); however, there are few comparative data on OH in the motor subtypes of MSA. In the present retrospective study, postural blood pressure drop after 3 min of standing was determined in 16 patients with the cerebellar variant of MSA (MSA-C) and in 17 patients with the Parkinson variant (MSA-P). Twenty idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients matched for age, sex, disease duration and dopaminergic therapy served as control group. OH frequency and severity were more pronounced in MSA-C followed by MSA-P and IPD. Differences in brainstem pathology are likely to account fo... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141382 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103185&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21809100%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Haines DE Prior to the late 1960s, a variety of studies suggested that a general zonal pattern existed within the cerebellar cortex. The hypothesis proposed by Voogd, based on the organization of the subcortical white matter, indicated that this pattern may be very detailed, and he noted that "a further analysis of the corticonuclear projection is still necessary." This brief paper chronicles the approach used by the author to formulate a plan, initiate a large series of experiments (over 250), and follow the sometimes confusing results to finally arrive at an understanding of the details of cerebellar corticonuclear projections. It was discovered that a series of mediolateral cortical zones were present that were topographically related to the underlying cerebellar nuclei, an... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103185 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5103185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103186&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21800089%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kikuchi S, Mochizuki H, Moriya A, Nakatani-Enomoto S, Nakamura K, Hanajima R, Ugawa Y The aim of this study was to investigate physiological mechanisms underlying ataxia in patients with ataxic hemiparesis. Subjects were three patients with ataxic hemiparesis, whose responsible lesion was located at the posterior limb of internal capsule (case 1), thalamus (case 2), or pre- and post-central gyri (case 3). Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technique was used to evaluate connectivity between the cerebellum and contralateral motor cortex. The conditioning cerebellar stimulus was given over the cerebellum and the test stimulus over the primary motor cortex. We studied how the conditioning stimulus modulated motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to the cortical test sti... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103186 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5103186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5056212&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21773814%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, changes were restricted to the inner granule layer. These cerebellar changes might correspond to some of the motor or non-motor deficits seen in neonates from compromised pregnancies. PMID: 21773814 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5056212 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5056212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5056214&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21761197%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schraa-Tam CK, Rietdijk WJ, Verbeke WJ, Dietvorst RC, van den Berg WE, Bagozzi RP, De Zeeuw CI Several studies indicate that the cerebellum might play a role in experiencing and/or controlling emphatic emotions, but it remains to be determined whether there is a distinction between positive and negative emotions, and, if so, which specific parts of the cerebellum are involved in these types of emotions. Here, we visualized activations of the cerebellum and extracerebellar regions using high-field fMRI, while we asked participants to observe and imitate images with pictures of human faces expressing different emotional states or with moving geometric shapes as control. The state of the emotions could be positive (happiness and surprise), negative (anger and disgust), or neutral... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5056214 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5056214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5056213&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21761198%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Luthman J, Hoebeek FE, Maex R, Davey N, Adams R, De Zeeuw CI, Steuber V Neurons in the cerebellar nuclei (CN) receive inhibitory inputs from Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex and provide the major output from the cerebellum, but their computational function is not well understood. It has recently been shown that the spike activity of Purkinje cells is more regular than previously assumed and that this regularity can affect motor behaviour. We use a conductance-based model of a CN neuron to study the effect of the regularity of Purkinje cell spiking on CN neuron activity. We find that increasing the irregularity of Purkinje cell activity accelerates the CN neuron spike rate and that the mechanism of this recoding of input irregularity as output spike rate depends on the n... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5056213 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5056213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5056215&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21750937%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pedroarena CM Deep cerebellar nuclear neurons (DCNs) display characteristic electrical properties, including spontaneous spiking and the ability to discharge narrow spikes at high frequency. These properties are thought to be relevant to processing inhibitory Purkinje cell input and transferring well-timed signals to cerebellar targets. Yet, the underlying ionic mechanisms are not completely understood. BK and Kv3.1 potassium channels subserve similar functions in spike repolarization and fast firing in many neurons and are both highly expressed in DCNs. Here, their role in the abovementioned spiking characteristics was addressed using whole-cell recordings of large and small putative-glutamatergic DCNs. Selective BK channel block depolarized DCNs of both groups and increased ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5056215 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5056215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5056216&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21739187%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barresi M, Bruschini L, Volsi GL, Manzoni D The spatial organization of vestibulospinal (VS) reflexes, elicited by labyrinthine signals and related to head motion, depends on the direction of body tilt, due to proprioceptive neck afferents acting through the cerebellar anterior vermis. The responses of Purkinje cells located within this region to labyrinthine stimulation are modulated by the head-to-body position. We investigated, in urethane-anesthetized rats, whether a 90° leg-to-trunk displacement modifies the responses of corticocerebellar and vestibular nuclear neurons to the labyrinthine input, which would indicate that VS reflexes are tuned by the leg-to-trunk position. With this aim, unit activity was recorded during "wobble" stimuli that allow evaluating the gain and... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5056216 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5056216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008838&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21732075%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, we succeeded in preparing APC candidates from developing mouse cerebellum, characterized them in vitro, and found that BMPs are survival factors for these cells. PMID: 21732075 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008838 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5008838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008840&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21717229%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Serrao M, Pierelli F, Ranavolo A, Draicchio F, Conte C, Don R, Di Fabio R, Lerose M, Padua L, Sandrini G, Casali C Our aim was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the global and segmental features of gait in patients with genetically confirmed inherited ataxias. Sixteen patients with autosomal dominant (spinocerebellar ataxia, SCA1 or 2) or recessive (Friedreich's ataxia, FRDA) ataxia were studied. We used a motion analysis system to record gait kinematic and kinetic data. We measured the mean values of global (time-distance parameters, COM displacement, support moment) and segmental gait parameters (joint displacement and inter-joint coordination), as both discrete and continuous variables, and their variability and correlations with International Cooperative Ataxia Rating... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008840 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5008840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008839&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21717230%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, patients with cerebellar diseases have difficulties in producing smooth isometric movements and in coupling grip force and pull force efficiently. PMID: 21717230 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008839 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5008839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008842&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21701895%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jacobi H, Hauser TK, Giunti P, Globas C, Bauer P, Schmitz-Hübsch T, Baliko L, Filla A, Mariotti C, Rakowicz M, Charles P, Ribai P, Szymanski S, Infante J, van de Warrenburg BP, Dürr A, Timmann D, Boesch S, Fancellu R, Rola R, Depondt C, Schöls L, Zdzienicka E, Kang JS, Ratzka S, Kremer B, Stephenson DA, Melegh B, Pandolfo M, du Montcel ST, Borkert J, Schulz JB, Klockgether T To assess the clinical spectrum of ataxia and cerebellar oculomotor deficits in the most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), we analysed the baseline data of the EUROSCA natural history study, a multicentric cohort study of 526 patients with either spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, 2, 3 or 6. To quantify ataxia symptoms, we used the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). The presence of c... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008842 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5008842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008841&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21701896%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Goto JI, Mikoshiba K The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor is highly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and mediates conspicuous calcium release from intracellular calcium stores. Receptor stimulation, such as through mGluR1, activates the G(q)-PLC pathway, which leads to IP(3)-induced calcium release and subsequent cellular responses, including cerebellar long-term depression in Purkinje cells. Recent studies have demonstrated the regulatory mechanisms of IP(3) receptor, revealing activation via IP(3) and Ca(2+), inactivation via high concentrations of Ca(2+), and modulation by various proteins that bind to the IP(3) receptor. Novel calcium imaging techniques and caged compounds provide analysis of calcium signals at the single spine level in relation to the i... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008841 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5008841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4961259&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21671065%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ramnani N Our growing understanding of how cerebral cortical areas communicate with the cerebellum in primates has enriched our understanding of the data that cerebellar circuits can access, and the neocortical areas that cerebellar activity can influence. The cerebellum is part of some large-scale networks involving several parts of the neocortex including association areas in the frontal lobe and the posterior parietal cortex that are known for their contributions to higher cognitive function. Understanding their connections with the cerebellum informs the debates around the role of the cerebellum in higher cognitive functions because they provide mechanisms through which association areas and the cerebellum can influence each others' operations. In recent years, evidence fr... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4961259 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4961259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4961260&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21656041%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Louis ED, Faust PL, Ma KJ, Yu M, Cortes E, Vonsattel JP The study of the postmortem changes in essential tremor (ET) is in its infancy, although recent evidence points to a central role of the cerebellum, where Purkinje cell axonal swellings ("torpedoes") are significantly more common in ET than control brains. Yet, all existing studies have been confined to the cerebellar hemispheres, and whether there is a more widely distributed cerebellar problem is presently unknown. Our aims were to address whether: (1) ET cases have greater numbers of torpedoes in the vermis than controls, (2) there a correlation between the extent of vermal torpedo pathology and hemispheric torpedo pathology, and (3) vermal torpedo pathology is correlated with clinical features of the disease. A parasa... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4961260 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4961260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4912416&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21638013%26dopt%3DAbstract This study indicates the influence of 1-Hz cerebellar rTMS in modifying the voluntary movements of the upper limb in PD. This influence is differentiated: the improvement of gross motor skills and the worsening of fine motor skills. PMID: 21638013 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4912416 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4912416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4912417&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21633800%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Corben LA, Delatycki MB, Bradshaw JL, Churchyard AJ, Georgiou-Karistianis N Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is the most common of the genetically inherited ataxias. We sought to examine motor planning ability in 13 individuals with FRDA and 13 age- and sex-matched control participants using two experimental paradigms that examined the ability to incorporate different levels of advance information to plan sequential movements. Individuals with FRDA demonstrated a differential pattern of motor response to advance information and were significantly disadvantaged by conditions requiring initiation of movement without a direct visual cue. There was also a significant negative correlation with age of disease onset and differing levels of advance information, suggesting an impact of FRDA on... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4912417 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4912417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4912418&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21630084%26dopt%3DAbstract We present likely etiologies for these symptoms, not only as they drive neurodevelopmental pathologies but also as they can be understood as variations in the development of neural networks. PMID: 21630084 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4912418 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4912418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4864183&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21597884%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nachbauer W, Hering S, Seifert M, Steinkellner H, Sturm B, Scheiber-Mojdehkar B, Reindl M, Strasak A, Poewe W, Weiss G, Boesch S Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive inherited neurodegenerative disorder leading to reduced expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. Previous studies showed frataxin upregulation in FRDA following treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO). Dose-response interactions between frataxin and rhuEPO have not been studied until to date. We administered escalating rhuEPO single doses (5,000, 10,000 and 30,000 IU) in monthly intervals to five adult FRDA patients. Measurements of frataxin, serum erythropoietin levels, iron metabolism and mitochondrial function were carried out. Clinical outcome was assessed using the "Sc... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4864183 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4864183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4864182&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21597885%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Desserre J, Devos D, Sautière BG, Debruyne P, Santorelli FM, Vuillaume I, Defoort-Dhellemmes S Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is characterized by the presence of myelinated retinal fibers. This typical feature is very helpful for the diagnosis but is not always observed in patients outside Quebec. Apart from phenotype variations, misinterpretation of the funduscopy may explain discrepancies and misdiagnosis. We analyze the modification of retinal fibers layer using the funduscopy and the optical coherence tomography (OCT) in two French patients having spinocerebellar ataxia associated with a spastic paraparesia with genetically confirmed ARSACS. In both patients the funduscopy showed a swollen and striated aspect of peripapillar fibers alon... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4864182 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4864182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4864184&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21562921%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Turner JR, Ortinski PI, Sherrard RM, Kellar KJ Although recent studies have delineated the specific nicotinic subtypes present in the mammalian cerebellum, very little is known about their location or function within the cerebellum. This is of increased interest since nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in the cerebellum have recently been implicated in the pathology of autism spectrum disorders. To begin to better understand the roles of these heteromeric nAChRs in the cerebellar circuitry and their therapeutic potential as targets for drug development, we used various chemical and stereotaxic lesion models in conjunction with slice electrophysiology to examine how specific heteromeric nAChR subtypes may influence the surrounding cerebellar circuitry. Using subunit-specific immunopr... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4864184 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4864184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810389&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544587%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Uchino A A persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is the most common anastomosis between the carotid and vertebrobasilar system. A PTA variant (PTAV) is a rare anomaly in which the cerebellar artery arises from the internal carotid artery (ICA) without connection with the basilar artery (BA). I present what I believe is the first report of bilateral PTAVs diagnosed using magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and briefly discuss the embryology of this rare anomaly. An 81-year-old woman with small infarctions underwent cerebral MR imaging and MR angiography with a 1.5-tesla imager for the evaluation of brain lesions. An MR angiography was obtained using the standard noncontrast three-dimensional time-of-flight technique. The MR angiographic demonstration of bilateral anterior inferior... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810389 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810388&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544588%26dopt%3DAbstract This study supports previous work that a greater safety margin is used in people with cerebellar ataxia when stepping over obstacles, but reveals a mechanism of segmental coordination to facilitate this increase in toe clearance. Further work is required to determine whether ataxia severity has an effect on the observed coordination variables. PMID: 21544588 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810388 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810387&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544589%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Colnaghi S, Ramat S, D'Angelo E, Cortese A, Beltrami G, Moglia A, Versino M Continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) applied over the cerebellum exerts long-lasting effects by modulating long-term synaptic plasticity, which is thought to be the basis of learning and behavioral adaptation. To investigate the impact of cTBS over the cerebellum on short-term sensory-motor memory, we recorded in two groups of eight healthy subject each the visually guided saccades (VGSs), the memory-guided saccades (MGSs), and the multiple memory-guided saccades (MMGSs), before and after cTBS (cTBS group) or simulated cTBS (control group). In the cTBS group, cTBS determined hypometria of contralateral centrifugal VGSs and worsened the accuracy of MMGS bilaterally. In the control group, no signifi... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810387 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810386&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544590%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pikkarainen M, Hartikainen P, Soininen H, Alafuzoff I We investigated whether ubiquitin-binding protein p62/sequestosome-1 could be utilized to evaluate the pathology seen in patients with a clinical diagnosis of progressive late-onset cerebellar ataxia (LOCA). p62-immunoreactive (IR) lesions were assessed by means of immunohistochemistry in the brains of six LOCA cases, one with the spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 mutation (SCA1), ages at death ranging from 46 to 56 years. All cases fulfilled the criteria of olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), i.e., displaying cell loss in the predilection brain areas. One case, genetics unknown, exhibited p62-IR neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NIs). Similar NIs were labeled with the 1C2 antibody that recognizes proteins containing large po... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810386 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810385&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544591%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Haines DE, Manto MU PMID: 21544591 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810385 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810390&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21509479%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: De Bartolo P, Gelfo F, Burello L, De Giorgio A, Petrosini L, Granato A Recent findings suggest marked interconnections between the cerebellum and striatum, thus challenging the classical view of their segregated operation in motor control. Therefore, this study was aimed at further investigating this issue by analyzing the effects of hemicerebellectomy (HCb) on density and dendritic length of striatal fast-spiking interneurons (FSi). First, we analyzed the plastic rearrangements of striatal FSi morphology in hemicerebellectomized animals reared in standard conditions. Then, since environmental enrichment (EE) induces structural changes in experimental models of brain disease, we evaluated FSi morphology in lesioned animals exposed to an enriched environment after HCb. Although... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810390 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810393&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503591%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Reinert KC, Gao W, Chen G, Wang X, Peng YP, Ebner TJ Flavoprotein autofluorescence imaging, an intrinsic mitochondrial signal, has proven useful for monitoring neuronal activity. In the cerebellar cortex, parallel fiber stimulation evokes a beam-like response consisting of an initial, short-duration increase in fluorescence (on-beam light phase) followed by a longer duration decrease (on-beam dark phase). Also evoked are parasagittal bands of decreased fluorescence due to molecular layer inhibition. Previous work suggests that the on-beam light phase is due to oxidative metabolism in neurons. The present study further investigated the metabolic and cellular origins of the flavoprotein signal in vivo, testing the hypotheses that the dark phase is mediated by glia activation and... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810393 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810392&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503592%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: D'Agata F, Caroppo P, Baudino B, Caglio M, Croce M, Bergui M, Tamietto M, Mortara P, Orsi L Patients with cerebellar lesions present some affective and cognitive disorders, defining a peculiar pattern of cognitive impairment, so-called cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome. This pattern has been confirmed in many genotypes of spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA), a group of genetically defined pathologies characterized by the degeneration of the cerebellum and its connections. Recently, in SCA patients, some authors focused the interest on social cognition evidencing an impairment of theory of mind and basic emotion recognition by verbal material. The recognition of emotions in faces is an essential component of social cognition; therefore, we assessed this ability in SCA patients,... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810392 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810391&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503593%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abdul-Kareem IA, Stancak A, Parkes LM, Al-Ameen M, Alghamdi J, Aldhafeeri FM, Embleton K, Morris D, Sluming V This work was conducted to study the plasticity of superior (SCP) and middle (MCP) cerebellar peduncles in musicians. The cerebellum is well known to support several musically relevant motor, sensory and cognitive functions. Previous studies reported increased cerebellar volume and grey matter (GM) density in musicians. Here, we report on plasticity of white matter (WM) of the cerebellum. Our cohort included 10/10 gender and handedness-matched musicians and controls. Using diffusion tensor imaging, fibre tractography of SCP and MCP was performed. The fractional anisotropy (FA), number of streamlines and volume of streamlines of SCP/MCP were compared between groups. Aut... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810391 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810395&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479969%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miwa H, Kondo T Voltage-gated calcium channels play an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. Accumulating studies suggest that the T-type calcium channel is a potential target for the treatment of various neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, insomnia, and neuropathic pain. Here, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of T-type calcium channel regulation and their implications for tremor disorders. Several T-type calcium channel blockers effectively suppressed experimental tremors that have been suggested to originate from either the cerebellum or basal ganglia. Among T-type calcium channel blockers that have been used clinically, the anti-tremor efficacy of zonisamide garnered our attention. Based on both basic and clinical studies, t... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810395 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810394&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479970%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fu Y, Tvrdik P, Makki N, Paxinos G, Watson C The precerebellar nuclei are hindbrain and spinal cord centers that send fibers to the cerebellum. The neurons of the major hindbrain precerebellar nuclei are derived from the rhombic lip. Wnt1, a developmentally important gene involved in intercellular signaling, is expressed in the developing rhombic lip. We sought to investigate the relationship between the cell clusters expressing Wnt1 and the precerebellar nuclei in the hindbrain. We therefore defined the hindbrain precerebellar nuclei by retrograde tracing, following cerebellar injections of HRP, and compared these results with the cell clusters expressing Wnt1 in newborn mice. We found that 39 distinct hindbrain nuclei project to the cerebellum. Of these nuclei, all but three... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810394 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810396&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21476131%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Di Rocco C, Chieffo D, Frassanito P, Caldarelli M, Massimi L, Tamburrini G The aim of this study is to identify possible risks factors for the occurrence of cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) in children with posterior cranial fossa tumours. Children diagnosed with posterior fossa tumours consecutively admitted to our institution between 2006 and 2008 were the subjects of this prospective study. Besides standard neurological and radiological evaluations, all children underwent thorough neuropsychological assessments at admission and following surgery. Children under two or older than 16 years of age and those with a severe pre-operative clinical condition precluding neuropsychological assessment were excluded. Thirty-four children met the inclusion criteria. They were divided i... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810396 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810397&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21451999%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Argyropoulos GP Recent research in cerebellar cognitive and linguistic functions makes plausible the idea that the cerebellum is involved in processing temporally contiguous linguistic input. In order to assess this hypothesis, a simple lexical decision task was constructed to study whether the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation on two different cerebellar sites would have a selective impact on associative as opposed to semantic priming. This is the first experiment applying transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cerebellum to a linguistic task. The results show a selective drop in lexical decision accuracy after stimulation of a medial cerebellar site in the first session of participation. Most importantly, they also demonstrate a selective increase of associative ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810397 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810399&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21448632%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li ZJ, Miao YX, Sun P, Li YJ, Dou YH, Xu J, Chen X, Jiang YX Almost all intracranial dermoid cysts typically display low-density lesions on plain computerized tomography (CT) scans due to abundant lipids content. CT hyperattenuating dermoid cyst (CHADC) is very uncommon with only nine case reports in the literature update, which occurs exclusively in the posterior fossa. Moreover, CHADC with mural nodule is exceptionally rare, and only one such case was documented previously. Here, we report a new case of cerebellar CHADC with mural nodule in a 14-year-old male patient who presented with a 4-week history of dull headache and 5-day history of gait disturbance. With an average attenuation value of 89.9 Hounsfield units on CT scans, the lesion mainly displayed T1 hyperintensity, ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810399 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810398&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21448633%26dopt%3DAbstract We present what we believe is the first report of PICA supplied by the jugular branch of the APA that passes through the medial side of the jugular foramen pars vascularis, diagnosed using magnetic resonance angiography. To avoid ischemic brain complications during head and neck surgeries and interventional radiologic procedures, preoperative recognition of anomalously originating pial arteries from the APA is important. PMID: 21448633 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810398 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643517&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21431469%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wilson SL, Kalinovsky A, Orvis GD, Joyner AL The cerebellum is a highly organized structure partitioned into lobules along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis and into striped molecular domains along the medial-lateral (M-L) axis. The Engrailed (En) homeobox genes are required for patterning the morphological and molecular domains along both axes, as well as for the establishment of the normal afferent topography required to generate a fully functional cerebellum. As a means to understand how the En genes regulate multiple levels of cerebellum construction, we characterized En1 and En2 expression around birth and at postnatal day (P) 21 during the period when the cerebellum undergoes a remarkable transformation from a smooth ovoid structure to a highly foliated structure. We s... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643517 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643518&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21416378%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jirenhed DA, Hesslow G Classical conditioning of motor responses, such as the eyeblink response, is an experimental model of associative learning and of adaptive timing of movements. A conditioned blink will have its maximum amplitude near the expected onset of the unconditioned blink-eliciting stimulus and it adapts to changes in the interval between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. Previous studies have shown that an eyeblink conditioning protocol can make cerebellar Purkinje cells learn to pause in response to the conditioned stimulus. According to the cerebellar cortical conditioning model, this conditioned Purkinje cell response drives the overt blink. If so, the model predicts that the temporal properties of the Purkinje cell response reflect the overt behaviou... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643518 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643519&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21399888%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Velázquez-Pérez L, Rodríguez-Labrada R, García-Rodríguez JC, Almaguer-Mederos LE, Cruz-Mariño T, Laffita-Mesa JM Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia characterized by a progressive cerebellar syndrome associated to saccadic slowing, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive disorders, and other multisystem features. SCA2 is caused by the abnormal expansion of cytosine-adenine-guanine triplet repeats in the encoding region of the ATXN2 gene and therefore the expression of toxic polyglutamine expansions in the ataxin 2 protein, which cause progressive neuronal death of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and several pontine, mesencephalic, and thalamic neurons among other cells. Worldwide, SCA2 is the second most frequent type of spinocerebel... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643519 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4582146&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21394464%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Saftenku EE Calretinin is thought to be the main endogenous calcium buffer in cerebellar granule cells (GrCs). However, little is known about the impact of cooperative Ca(2+) binding to calretinin on highly localized and more global (regional) Ca(2+) signals in these cells. Using numerical simulations, we show that an essential property of calretinin is a delayed equilibration with Ca(2+). Therefore, the amount of Ca(2+), which calretinin can accumulate with respect to equilibrium levels, depends on stimulus conditions. Based on our simulations of buffered Ca(2+) diffusion near a single Ca(2+) channel or a large cluster of Ca(2+) channels and previous experimental findings that 150 μM 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy) ethane-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) and endogenous calreti... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4582146 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4582146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4582148&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21384195%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vig PJ, Hearst S, Shao Q, Lopez ME, Murphy HA, Safaya E Non-cell autonomous involvement of glial cells in the pathogenesis of polyglutamine diseases is gaining recognition in the ataxia field. We previously demonstrated that Purkinje cells (PCs) in polyglutamine disease spinocerebellar ataxia-1 (SCA1) contain cytoplasmic vacuoles rich in Bergmann glial protein S100B. The vacuolar formation in SCA1 PCs is accompanied with an abnormal morphology of dendritic spines. In addition, S100B messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels are significantly high in the cerebella of asymptomatic SCA1 transgenic (Tg) mice and increase further with age when compared with the age-matched wild-type animals. This higher S100B mRNA expression positively correlates with an increase in the number of vacu... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4582148 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4582148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4582147&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21384196%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Haines DE, Manto MU PMID: 21384196 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4582147 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4582147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4582150&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21373863%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lang EJ, Blenkinsop TA The question of what modulates the firing of the cerebellar nuclei (CN) is one to which we presently have a surprisingly incomplete answer. Because most synaptic input to the CN originates from Purkinje cells (PCs), and simple spikes (SSs) are far more numerous than complex spikes (CSs), SSs are generally thought to be the dominant influence on the CN. However, evidence, reviewed here, suggests that this appears not to be the case in some physiologically important situations. As an alternative, we propose that CS activity may have at least as significant an effect on CN firing as do SSs. In particular, we suggest that CS activity has a role in controlling the bursts CN neurons show during various movements, during sleep states, and under ketamine-xylazin... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4582150 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4582150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4582149&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21373864%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stoodley CJ Evidence for a role of the human cerebellum in cognitive functions comes from anatomical, clinical and neuroimaging data. Functional neuroimaging reveals cerebellar activation during a variety of cognitive tasks, including language, visual-spatial, executive, and working memory processes. It is important to note that overt movement is not a prerequisite for cerebellar activation: the cerebellum is engaged during conditions which either control for motor output or do not involve motor responses. Resting-state functional connectivity data reveal that, in addition to networks underlying motor control, the cerebellum is part of "cognitive" networks with prefrontal and parietal association cortices. Consistent with these findings, regional differences in activation patt... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4582149 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4582149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4528366&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21321808%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Becker EB, Fogel BL, Rajakulendran S, Dulneva A, Hanna MG, Perlman SL, Geschwind DH, Davies KE The hereditary cerebellar ataxias are a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders primarily characterised by loss of balance and coordination due to dysfunction of the cerebellum and its associated pathways. Although many genetic mutations causing inherited cerebellar ataxia have been identified, a significant percentage of patients remain whose cause is unknown. The transient receptor potential (TRP) family member TRPC3 is a non-selective cation channel linked to key signalling pathways that are affected in cerebellar ataxia. Furthermore, genetic mouse models of TRPC3 dysfunction display cerebellar ataxia, making the TRPC3 gene an excellent candidate for screening ataxic patients... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4528366 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4528366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4473265&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21298580%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marzban H, Hoy N, Aavani T, Sarko DK, Catania KC, Hawkes R Despite the apparent uniformity in cellular composition of the adult mammalian cerebellar cortex, it is actually highly compartmentalized into transverse zones and within each zone further subdivided into a reproducible array of parasagittal stripes. This basic cerebellar architecture is highly conserved in birds and mammals. However, different species have very different cerebellar morphologies, and it is unclear if cerebellar architecture reflects taxonomic relations or ecological niches. To explore this, we have examined the cerebellum of the naked mole-rat Heterocephalus glaber, a burrowing rodent with adaptations to a subterranean life that include only a rudimentary visual system. The cerebellum of H. glaber rese... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4473265 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4473265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4473266&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21287304%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pedroso JL, Braga-Neto P, Felício AC, Dutra LA, Santos WA, do Prado GF, Barsottini OG Sleep disorders are common complaints in patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) or Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)-SCA3/MJD. We evaluated the frequency of sleep disorders in SCA3/MJD patients against controls matched by age and gender, and correlated data with demographic and clinical variables. The main sleep disorders evaluated were rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), restless leg syndrome (RLS), and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). We recruited 40 patients with clinical and molecular-proven SCA3/MJD and 38 controls. We used the following clinical scales to evaluate our primary outcome measures: RBD Screening Questionnaire,... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4473266 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4473266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4473277&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21279489%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kolasiewicz W, Kuter K, Nowak P, Pastuszka A, Ossowska K Abnormal synchronous activation of the glutamatergic olivo-cerebellar pathway has been suggested to be crucial for the harmaline-induced tremor. The cerebellum receives two catecholaminergic pathways: the dopaminergic pathway arising from the ventral tegmental area/substantia nigra pars compacta, and the noradrenergic one from the locus coeruleus. The aim of the present study was to examine a contribution of the cerebellar catecholaminergic innervations to the harmaline-induced tremor in rats. Rats were injected bilaterally into the cerebellar vermis with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 8 μg/0.5 μl) either alone or this treatment was preceded (30 min earlier) by desipramine (15 mg/kg ip). Harmaline was administered to a... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4473277 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4473277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4473269&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21279490%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee SH, Koh JS, Lee CY A 61-year-old woman presented with typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN), caused by an aberrant posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) associated with the primitive trigeminal artery (PTA). Magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography clearly showed an anomalous artery directly originating from the PTA and coursing into the PICA territory at the cerebellum. During microvascular decompression (MVD), we confirmed and decompressed vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve by this anomalous, PICA-variant type of PTA. The PTA did not conflict with the trigeminal nerve, and the anomalous PICA only compressed the caudolateral part of the trigeminal nerve, without the more common compression at its root entry zone. This case is informat... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4473269 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4473269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4473267&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21279491%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Witter L, De Zeeuw CI, Ruigrok TJ, Hoebeek FE PMID: 21279491 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4473267 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4473267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4407329&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21259124%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jaeger D The cerebellar nuclei (CN) process inhibition from Purkinje cells (PC) and excitation from mossy and climbing fiber collaterals. CN neurons in slices show intrinsic pacemaking activity, which is easily modulated by synaptic inputs. Our work using dynamic clamping and computer modeling shows that synchronicity between PC inputs is an important factor in determining spike rate and spike timing of CN neurons and that brief pauses in PC inputs provide a potent stimulus to trigger CN spikes. Excitatory input can equally control spike rate, but, due to a large slow, NMDA component also amplifies responses to inhibitory inputs. Intrinsic properties of CN neurons are well suited to provide prolonged responses to strong input transients and could be involved in motor pattern g... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4407329 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4407329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4407348&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21240580%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Grimaldi G, Manto M The cerebellum is a key-piece for information processing and is involved in numerous motor and nonmotor activities, thanks to the anatomical characteristics of the circuitry, the enormous computational capabilities and the high connectivity to other brain areas. Despite its uniform cytoarchitecture, cerebellar circuitry is segregated into functional zones. This functional parcellation is driven by the connectivity and the anatomo-functional heterogeneity of the numerous extra-cerebellar structures linked to the cerebellum, principally brain cortices, precerebellar nuclei and spinal cord. Major insights into cerebellar functions have been gained with a detailed analysis of the cerebellar outputs, with the evidence that fundamental aspects of cerebrocerebella... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4407348 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4407348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343159&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21203875%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ebner TJ, Hewitt AL, Popa LS This review examines the signals encoded in the discharge of cerebellar neurons during voluntary arm and hand movements, assessing the state of our knowledge and the implications for hypotheses of cerebellar function. The evidence for the representation of forces, joint torques, or muscle activity in the discharge of cerebellar neurons is limited, questioning the validity of theories that the cerebellum directly encodes the motor command. In contrast, kinematic parameters such as position, direction, and velocity are widely and robustly encoded in the activity of cerebellar neurons. These findings favor hypotheses that the cerebellum plans or controls movements in a kinematic framework, such as the proposal that the cerebellum provides a forward in... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343159 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4343159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343162&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21191679%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Repici M, Wehrlé R, Antoniou X, Borsello T, Dusart I Several studies have shown that Purkinje cells die by apoptosis in organotypic slice cultures from postnatal 3-day-old (P3) mice. This cell death is age-dependent and has been proposed as indirect evidence for the programmed Purkinje cell death occurring in in vivo cerebellum. Here, we studied whether c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase pathways contribute to the Purkinje cell death observed in cerebellar slice cultures obtained from P3 mice. Slice culture treatment with D-JNKI1 or SB203580, respectively inhibitors of JNK and p38 MAP kinases, results in a better survival of Purkinje cells. Interestingly, the combined treatment with the two inhibitors potentiated single treatment effects. These results suggest that ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343162 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4343162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343168&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21181461%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sánchez-Campusano R, Gruart A, Delgado-García JM Understanding the role played by the cerebellum in the genesis and control of learned motor responses requires a precise knowledge of interdependent relationships between kinetic neural commands and the performance (kinematics) of the acquired movements. The eyelid motor system is a useful model for studying how simple motor responses are generated and performed. Here, we recorded the activity of interpositus, red nucleus, and/or facial motor neurons during classical eyeblink conditioning, using a delay paradigm. Experiments were carried out in behaving cats, and in conscious wild-type and (Purkinje cell devoid) Lurcher mice. Kinetic variables were determined by recording the firing activities of identified neurons at the ment... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343168 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4343168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343165&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21181462%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Imamizu H, Kawato M Humans have remarkable abilities in the dexterous use of tools to extend their physical capabilities. Although previous neuropsychological and functional neuroimaging studies have mainly focused on the contribution of frontal-parietal cerebral networks to skills for tool use, dense anatomical and functional connections are known to exist between the frontal-parietal regions and the lateral cerebellum, suggesting that the cerebellum also supports the information processing necessary for the dexterous use of tools. In this article, we review functional and structural imaging studies reporting that the cerebellum is related to the learning acquisition of neural mechanisms representing input-output properties of controlled objects, including tools. These studie... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343165 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4343165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343171&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21161621%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Eisenman LM Unlike the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum is characterized by a simple histological organization that is relatively uniform throughout. However, molecular characteristics of its constituent elements create a high degree of heterogeneity and complexity resulting in the delineation of modules defined by both parasagittal and anteroposterior boundaries. Eccles notion of the cerebellum as "designed to process input information in some unique and essential manner" may relate to analysis of temporal elements involved in both motor and cognitive behaviors. The complexity of molecular heterogeneities may provide for subtle alterations in temporal processing and lead to behavioral perturbations seen after alcohol or other disruptive stimuli. PMID: 21161621 [PubMed - as... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343171 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4343171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4251673&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21132574%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Demirtas-Tatlidede A, Freitas C, Pascual-Leone A, Schmahmann JD Clinical and functional imaging studies suggest that the cerebellar vermis is involved in the regulation of a range of nonsomatic functions including cardiovascular control, thirst, feeding behavior, and primal emotions. Cerebello-hypothalamic circuits have been postulated to be a potential neuroanatomical substrate underlying this modulation. We tested this putative relationship between the cerebellar vermis and nonsomatic functions by stimulating the cerebellum noninvasively via neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation. In this randomized, counter-balanced, within-subject study, intermittent theta burst stimulation (TBS) was applied on three different days to the vermis and the right and left cerebellar ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4251673 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4251673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4251674&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21128039%26dopt%3DAbstract This study made a systematic comparison of the neuropathology in 14 patients with juvenile onset and long survival, and five patients with late onset and long survival. Mean ages of onset (± standard deviation) were 10 ± 5 and 28 ± 13 years, respectively. Disease durations were 33 ± 11 and 47 ± 11 years, respectively. Cross-sectional areas of the thoracic spinal cord were greatly reduced from the normal state but did not differ between the two groups. Similarly, the neurons of dorsal root ganglia were significantly reduced in size in both juvenile- and late-onset cases of FRDA. The dentate nucleus showed severe loss of neurons as well as modification and destruction of corticonuclear terminals in all FRDA patients. Delayed atrophy of the dentate nucleus is the likely... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4251674 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4251674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4251675&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21128038%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hoche F, Balikó L, den Dunnen W, Steinecker K, Bartos L, Sáfrány E, Auburger G, Deller T, Korf HW, Klockgether T, Rüb U, Melegh B Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a progressive autosomal dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxia and is assigned to the CAG repeat or polyglutamine diseases. Recent morphological studies characterized the pathoanatomical features in heterozygous SCA2 patients and revealed severe neuronal loss in a large variety of cerebellar and extra-cerebellar brain sites. In the present study, we examined the brain pathoanatomy of a monozygous twin of a large Hungarian SCA2 family with pathologically extended CAG repeats in both SCA2 alleles. This unique patient was in the initial clinical stage of SCA2 and died almost 3 years after SCA2 onset. Upon pa... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4251675 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4251675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220751&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21116763%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Uusisaari M, Knöpfel T The deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) are at the center of the cerebellum not only anatomically but also functionally. Classical anatomical studies have described different types of DCN neurons according to their expression of various marker proteins, but only recently have we begun to characterize these different cell types according to their electrophysiological properties. These efforts have benefited greatly from the availability of transgenic mouse lines that express green fluorescent protein under the control of the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and glycine transporter (GlyT2) promoters, which are markers for GABAergic and glycinergic neurons, respectively. These studies have identified several types of neurons within the lateral cerebellar nucle... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220751 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4220751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220752&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21113697%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Foti F, Laricchiuta D, Cutuli D, De Bartolo P, Gelfo F, Angelucci F, Petrosini L The exposure to enriched environments allows the maintenance of normal cognitive functioning even in the presence of brain pathology. Up until now, clinical and experimental studies have investigated environmental effects mainly on the symptoms linked to the presence of neuro-degenerative diseases, and no study has yet analyzed whether prolonged exposure to complex environments allows modifying the clinical expression and compensation of deficits of cerebellar origin. In animals previously exposed to complex stimulations, the effects of cerebellar lesions have been analyzed to verify whether a prolonged and intense exposure to complex stimulations affected the compensation of motor and cognitive f... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220752 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4220752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220753&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21110147%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined the role of the cerebellum and striatum in predictive motor timing in a target interception task in healthy (n = 12) individuals and in subjects (n = 9) with spinocerebellar ataxia types 6 and 8. The performance of the healthy subjects was better than that of the spinocerebellar ataxia. Successful performance in both groups was associated with increased activity in the cerebellum (right dentate nucleus, left uvula (lobule V), and lobule VI), thalamus, and in several cortical areas. The superior performance in the controls was related to activation in thalamus, putamen (lentiform nucleus) and cerebellum (right dentate nucleus and culmen-lobule IV), which were not activated either in the spinocerebellar subjects or within a subgroup of controls who performed poorly. Both ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220753 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4220753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4202037&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21107777%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Akhlaghi H, Corben L, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Bradshaw J, Storey E, Delatycki MB, Egan GF Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is the most common early onset inherited ataxia with clinical manifestations, including gradual progression of unremitting cerebellar-sensory ataxia, peripheral sensory loss, loss of lower limb tendon reflexes and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although atrophy of the superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) has been reported in several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of FRDA, the relationship of SCP changes to genetic and clinical features of FRDA has not been investigated. We acquired T1-weighted MRI scans in 12 right-handed individuals with FRDA, homozygous for a GAA expansion in intron 1 of FXN, as well as 13 healthy age-matched controls. The corrected cros... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4202037 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4202037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4202039&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21104176%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Contestabile A More than 20 years of research have firmly established important roles of the diffusible messenger molecule, nitric oxide (NO), in cerebellar development and function. Granule neurons are main players in every NO-related mechanism involving cerebellar function and dysfunction. Granule neurons are endowed with remarkable amounts of the Ca(2+)-dependent neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase and can directly respond to endogenously produced NO or induce responses in neighboring cells taking advantage of the high diffusibility of the molecule. Nitric oxide acts as a negative regulator of granule cell precursor proliferation and promotes survival and differentiation of these neurons. Nitric oxide is neuroprotective towards granule neurons challenged with toxic i... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4202039 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4202039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4202038&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21104177%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Armstrong CL, Duffin CA, McFarland R, Vogel MW The Lurcher mutant mouse is characterized by its ataxic gait and loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells and their afferents, granule cells and olivary neurons, during the first weeks of postnatal development. For the 50 years since its discovery, the heterozygous Lurcher mutant has served as an important model system for studying neuron-target interactions in the developing cerebellum and cerebellar function. The identification of the Lurcher (Lc) gene over 10 years ago as a gain-of-function mutation in the δ2 glutamate receptor (GluRδ2) led to extensive studies of cell death mechanisms in the Lc/+ cerebellum. The advantage of this model system is that GluRδ2(+) receptors and GluRδ2( Lc ) channels are expressed predominantly in P... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4202038 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4202038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4186782&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21086197%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sun CL, Su LD, Li Q, Wang XX, Shen Y Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC) is an autosomal recessive lipidosis characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. Although several studies have revealed unusual accumulation of unesterfied cholesterol in astrocytic lysosome of NPC, pathophysiological basis of cerebellar neuronal dysfunction remains unclear. We compared parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synaptic transmission and long-term depression (LTD) in +/+npc ( nih ) (npc (+/+)) and -/-npc ( nih ) (npc (-/-)) mice. Our data showed that adenosine A1 receptor agonists decreased parallel fiber excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) amplitude and mEPSC frequency while its antagonists increased EPSC amplitude and mEPSC frequency in wild type and mutant mice. Furthermore, parallel fiber LTD w... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4186782 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4186782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4186783&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21076996%26dopt%3DAbstract This study demonstrates that the DCbN are directly or indirectly involved in panic attacks. We suggest that the cerebellum plays a role in the selection of relevant information, and that deactivation of the cerebellar nuclei is required to allow inappropriate behaviour to occur, such as panic attacks. PMID: 21076996 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4186783 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4186783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168225&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21072692%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stanley-Cary C, Rinehart N, Tonge B, White O, Fielding J It remains unclear whether autism and Asperger's disorder (AD) exist on a symptom continuum or are separate disorders with discrete neurobiological underpinnings. In addition to impairments in communication and social cognition, motor deficits constitute a significant clinical feature in both disorders. It has been suggested that motor deficits and in particular the integrity of cerebellar modulation of movement may differentiate these disorders. We used a simple volitional saccade task to comprehensively profile the integrity of voluntary ocular motor behaviour in individuals with high functioning autism (HFA) or AD, and included measures sensitive to cerebellar dysfunction. We tested three groups of age-matched young m... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168225 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4168225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4154876&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21061194%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kilpatrick DL, Wang W, Gronostajski R, Litwack ED Granule neurons have a central role in cerebellar function via their synaptic interactions with other neuronal cell types both within and outside this structure. Establishment of these synaptic connections and its control is therefore essential to their function. Both intrinsic as well as environmental mechanisms are required for neuronal development and formation of neuronal circuits, and a key but poorly understood question is how these various events are coordinated and integrated in maturing neurons. In this review, we summarize recent work on the role of the Nuclear Factor I family in the transcriptional programming of cerebellar granule neuron maturation and synapse formation. In particular, we describe (1) the involvemen... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4154876 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4154876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4124683&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20981512%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sugihara I The distribution of aldolase C (zebrin II)-positive and -negative Purkinje cells (PCs) can be used to define about 20 longitudinally extended compartments in the cerebellar cortex of the rat, which may correspond to certain aspects of cerebellar functional localization. An equivalent compartmental organization may exist in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). This DCN compartmentalization is primarily represented by the afferent projection pattern in the DCN. PC projections and collateral nuclear projections of olivocerebellar climbing fiber axons have a relatively localized terminal arbor in the DCN. Projections of these axons make a closed olivo-cortico-nuclear circuit to connect a longitudinal stripe-shaped cortical compartment to a small subarea in the DCN, which c... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4124683 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4124683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4124682&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20981513%26dopt%3DAbstract We present a method using a compensating mechanism to replace radial diffusion and compared the dynamics of different Ca(2+) buffering models during generation of a dendritic Ca(2+) spike in a single compartment model of a PC dendritic segment with Ca(2+) channels of P- and T-type and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels of BK- and SK-type. The Ca(2+) dynamics models used are (1) a single Ca(2+) pool; (2) two Ca(2+) pools, respectively, for the fast and slow transients; (3) detailed Ca(2+) dynamics with buffers, pump, and diffusion; and (4) detailed Ca(2+) dynamics with buffers, pump, and diffusion compensation. Our results show that detailed Ca(2+) dynamics models have significantly better control over Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels and lead to physiologically more realistic simulations of Ca(2... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4124682 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4124682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4088725&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20967578%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ibhazehiebo K, Iwasaki T, Shimokawa N, Koibuchi N 1,2,5,6,9,10-αHexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a nonaromatic, brominated cyclic alkane used as an additive flame retardant. It bioaccumulates, persists in the environment, and has been detected in humans and wildlife. Its developmental neurotoxicity is of great concern. We investigated the effect of HBCD on thyroid hormone (TH) receptor (TR)-mediated transcription using transient transfection-based reporter gene assays and found that a low-dose (10(-10) M) HBCD suppressed TR-mediated transcription. We further examined the effect of HBCD on interaction of TR with TH response element (TRE) and found a partial dissociation of TR from TRE. HBCD did not dissociate steroid receptor coactivator-1 from TR in the presence of TH; neith... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4088725 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4088725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4088728&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20967575%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Benbir G, Kara S, Yalcinkaya BC, Karlıkaya G, Tuysuz B, Kocer N, Yalcinkaya C Unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia (UCH) is a rare pathological condition characterized by the loss of volume in cerebellar hemispheres ranging from mild asymptomatic to severe symptomatic cases. As the designation of UCH remains problematic, the underlying etiopathogenesis also lacks explanation. We investigated the patients admitted to Departments of Child Neurology, Neurology, and Genetics between the years 1992 and 2010 and detected 12 patients with unilateral cerebellar volume loss, with the exclusion of all other cerebellar pathologies. The ages of patients ranged between 6 months to 55 years. Five patients had a delay in developmental milestones, and one of these was diagnosed with neurofibro... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4088728 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4088728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4088727&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20967576%26dopt%3DAbstract The objectives of the current study were to determine whether the increase in oxidative stress in ASD is brain region-specific, to identify the specific brain regions affected by oxidative stress, and to compare brain region-specific NT-3 expression between ASD and control cases. The levels of 3-NT and NT-3 were measured with specific ELISAs in individual brain regions of two autistic and age- and postmortem interval (PMI)--matched control donors. In the control brain, the levels of 3-NT were uniformly low in all brain regions examined ranging from 1.6 to 12.0 pmol/g. On the other hand, there was a great variation in 3-NT levels between individual brain regions of the autistic brains ranging from 1.7 to 281.2 pmol/g. The particular brain regions with the increased 3-NT and the magnitude ... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4088727 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4088727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4088726&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20967577%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Voogd J Cerebellar zones were there, of course, before anyone noticed them. Their history is that of young people, unhindered by preconceived ideas, who followed up their observations with available or new techniques. In the 1960s of the last century, the circumstances were fortunate because three groups, in Leiden, Lund, and Bristol, using different approaches, stumbled on the same zonal pattern in the cerebellum of the cat. In Leiden, the Häggqvist myelin stain divulged the compartments in the cerebellar white matter that channel the afferent and efferent connections of the zones. In Lund, the spino-olivocerebellar pathways activated from individual spinal funiculi revealed the zonal pattern. In Bristol, charting the axon reflex of olivocerebellar climbing fibers on the sur... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4088726 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4088726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4088729&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20941559%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jankowski J, Miething A, Schilling K, Oberdick J, Baader S Programmed cell death is essential for the homeostasis of tissues and organs. During the development of the central nervous system, programmed cell death is highly regulated and restricted to distinct developmental time points of histogenesis. In this review, we will summarize recent data on the temporal and spatial distribution of programmed Purkinje cell death within the cerebellar cortex. We point out that programmed cell death within distinct regions of the developing cerebellar cortex differs by type and its cellular consequences. We submit the concept that local Purkinje cell death is important for late compartmentation of the cerebellar cortex and its wiring. To support this hypothesis, we provide new data obtai... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4088729 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4088729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4064571&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20927662%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kremlacek J, Valis M, Masopust J, Urban A, Zumrova A, Talab R, Kuba M, Kubova Z, Langrova J Reports of visual functional impairment in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) have been studied previously using pattern reversal visually evoked potentials (VEPs) with contradictory results. To provide additional evidence to this area, visual functions were studied using VEPs and event-related potentials (ERPs) in a group of ten patients with genetically verified SCA2. The electrophysiological examination included pattern reversal and motion-onset VEPs as well as visually driven oddball ERPs with an evaluation of a target and a pre-attentive response. In six patients, we found abnormal visual/cognitive processing that differed from normal values in latency, but not in the amplitude o... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4064571 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4064571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4064570&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20927663%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Luo J Maternal ethanol exposure during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD is the leading cause of mental retardation. The most deleterious effect of fetal alcohol exposure is inducing neuroapoptosis in the developing brain. Ethanol-induced loss of neurons in the central nervous system underlies many of the behavioral deficits observed in FASD. The cerebellum is one of the brain areas that are most susceptible to ethanol during development. Ethanol exposure causes a loss of both cerebellar Purkinje cells and granule cells. This review focuses on the toxic effect of ethanol on cerebellar granule cells (CGC) and the underlying mechanisms. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that ethanol induces apoptotic death of CGC. The vulnerability of CGC... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4064570 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4064570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4064569&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20927664%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Krab LC, de Goede-Bolder A, Aarsen FK, Moll HA, De Zeeuw CI, Elgersma Y, van der Geest JN The aim of this study was to quantify the frequently observed problems in motor control in Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) using three tasks on motor performance and motor learning. A group of 70 children with NF1 was compared to age-matched controls. As expected, NF1 children showed substantial problems in visuo-motor integration (Beery VMI). Prism-induced hand movement adaptation seemed to be mildly affected. However, no significant impairments in the accuracy of simple eye or hand movements were observed. Also, saccadic eye movement adaptation, a cerebellum dependent task, appeared normal. These results suggest that the motor problems of children with NF1 in daily life are unlikely to o... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4064569 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4064569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045470&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20922512%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Saftenku EE Intracellular calcium dynamics is critical for many functions of cerebellar granule cells (GrCs) including membrane excitability, synaptic plasticity, apoptosis, and regulation of gene transcription. Recent measurements of calcium responses in GrCs to depolarization and synaptic stimulation reveal spatial compartmentalization and heterogeneity within dendrites of these cells. However, the main determinants of local calcium dynamics in GrCs are still poorly understood. One reason is that there have been few published studies of calcium dynamics in intact GrCs in their native environment. In the absence of complete information, biophysically realistic models are useful for testing whether specific Ca(2+) handling mechanisms may account for existing experimental obser... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045470 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4045470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045486&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20886327%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Solodkin A, Peri E, Chen EE, Ben-Jacob E, Gomez CM The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of cerebellar degenerative disorders, characterized by progressive gait unsteadiness, hand incoordination, and dysarthria. The mutational mechanism in SCA1, a dominantly inherited form of SCA, consists of an expanded trinucleotide CAG repeat. In SCA1, there is loss of Purkinje cells, neuronal loss in dentate nucleus, olives, and pontine nuclei. In the present study, we sought to apply intrinsic functional connectivity analysis combined with diffusion tensor imaging to define the state of cerebellar connectivity in SCA1. Our results on the intrinsic functional connectivity in lateral cerebellum and thalamus showed progressive organizational changes in SCA1... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045486 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4045486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027378&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20878296%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Canterini S, Bosco A, Carletti V, Fuso A, Curci A, Mangia F, Fiorenza MT We previously demonstrated that TSC22D4, a protein encoded by the TGF-β1-activated gene Tsc22d4 (Thg-1pit) and highly expressed in postnatal and adult mouse cerebellum with multiple post-translationally modified protein forms, moves to nucleus when in vitro differentiated cerebellum granule neurons (CGNs) are committed to apoptosis by hyperpolarizing KCl concentrations in the culture medium. We have now studied TSC22D4 cytoplasmic/nuclear localization in CGNs and Purkinje cells: (1) during CGN differentiation/maturation in vivo, (2) during CGN differentiation in vitro, and (3) by in vitro culturing ex vivo cerebellum slices under conditions favoring/inhibiting CGN/Purkinje cell differentiation. We show... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027378 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4027378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4009435&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20865356%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Synofzik M, Godau J, Lindig T, Schöls L, Berg D Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a multisystemic degenerative disease, but the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is unknown. FA patients might be particularly susceptible to develop RLS as FA presents with features commonly associated with RLS, e.g. multisystemic network dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy and disturbances in subcellular brain iron homeostasis. In this work, we assessed the following: (1) the prevalence of RLS; (2) the prevalence of sonographic hypoechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN), which is known to be associated with idiopathic RLS; and (3) the relation between both in 28 FA patients. Thirty-two percent of the patients suffered from RLS, thus clearly exceeding the prevalence rate in the general po... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4009435 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4009435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4009434&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20865357%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was designed as a prospective open-label single-arm study. Twenty Friedreich's ataxia patients were treated with idebenone (20 mg/kg/day) and deferiprone (20 mg/kg/day) for 11 months. Patients were evaluated before the start and throughout the study with the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) scores, echocardiographic measurements and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) techniques to asses brain iron deposits in the dentate nucleus. No significant differences were observed in total ICARS scores when comparing baseline status and the end of the study in the whole group of patients. Posture and gait scores increased significantly after 11 months of therapy (Wilcoxon's test, p = 0.04) and kinetic function improved significantly (Wilcoxon's test... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4009434 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4009434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4009436&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20845003%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examines the effects of the leaner mutation on fast GABAergic transmission and its modulation of spontaneous firing in PCs. The leaner mutation enhances spontaneous synaptic inhibition of PCs, leading to transitory reductions in PC firing rate and increased spike rate variability. Enhanced inhibition is paralleled by an increase in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) measured under voltage clamp. These differences are abolished by tetrodotoxin, implicating effects of the mutation on spike-induced GABA release. Elevated sIPSC frequency in leaner PCs is not accompanied by increased mean firing rate in molecular layer interneurons, but IPSCs evoked in PCs by direct stimulation of these neurons exhibit larger amplitude, slower decay r... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4009436 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4009436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4009441&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20838948%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Oz G, Iltis I, Hutter D, Thomas W, Bushara KO, Gomez CM Hereditary and sporadic neurodegenerative ataxias are movement disorders that affect the cerebellum. Robust and objective biomarkers are critical for treatment trials of ataxias. In addition, such biomarkers may help discriminate between ataxia subtypes because these diseases display substantial overlap in clinical presentation and conventional MRI. Profiles of 10-13 neurochemical concentrations obtained in vivo by high field proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) can potentially provide ataxia-type specific biomarkers. We compared cerebellar and brainstem neurochemical profiles measured at 4 T from 26 patients with spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA1, N = 9; SCA2, N = 7; SCA6, N = 5)... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4009441 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4009441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4009440&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20838949%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cerminara NL, Apps R A key organisational feature of the cerebellum is its division into a series of cerebellar modules. Each module is defined by its climbing input originating from a well-defined region of the inferior olive, which targets one or more longitudinal zones of Purkinje cells within the cerebellar cortex. In turn, Purkinje cells within each zone project to specific regions of the cerebellar and vestibular nuclei. While much is known about the neuronal wiring of individual cerebellar modules, their behavioural significance remains poorly understood. Here, we briefly review some recent data on the functional role of three different cerebellar modules: the vermal A module, the paravermal C2 module and the lateral D2 module. The available evidence suggests that these... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4009440 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4009440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4009439&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20838950%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marzban H, Hawkes R The mammalian cerebellum is histologically uniform. However, underlying the simple laminar architecture is a complex arrangement of parasagittal stripes and transverse zones that can be revealed by the expression of many molecules, in particular, zebrin II/aldolase C. By using a combination of Purkinje cell antigenic markers and afferent tracing, four transverse zones have been identified: in mouse, these are the anterior zone (∼lobules I-V), the central zone (∼lobules VI-VII), the posterior zone (PZ: ∼lobules VIII-dorsal IX), and the nodular zone (∼ventral lobule IX + lobule X). A fifth transverse zone-the lingular zone (∼lobule I)-is found in birds and bats. Within the anterior and posterior zones, parasagittal stripes of Purkinje... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4009439 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4009439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3955766&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20820976%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Redies C, Neudert F, Lin J Cadherins are cell adhesion molecules with multiple morphogenic functions in brain development, for example, in neuroblast migration and aggregation, axon navigation, neural circuit formation, and synaptogenesis. More than 100 members of the cadherin superfamily are expressed in the developing and mature brain. Most of the cadherins investigated, in particular classic cadherins and delta-protocadherins, are expressed in the cerebellum. For several cadherin subtypes, expression begins at early embryonic stages and persists until mature stages of cerebellar development. At intermediate stages, distinct Purkinje cell clusters exhibit unique rostrocaudal and mediolateral expression profiles for each cadherin. In the chicken, mouse, and other species, the... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3955766 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3955766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3955768&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20809106%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Voogd J, Schraa-Tam CK, van der Geest JN, De Zeeuw CI In this paper, we will review the anatomical components of the visuomotor cerebellum in human and, where possible, in non-human primates and discuss their function in relation to those of extracerebellar visuomotor regions with which they are connected. The floccular lobe, the dorsal paraflocculus, the oculomotor vermis, the uvula-nodulus, and the ansiform lobule are more or less independent components of the visuomotor cerebellum that are involved in different corticocerebellar and/or brain stem olivocerebellar loops. The floccular lobe and the oculomotor vermis share different mossy fiber inputs from the brain stem; the dorsal paraflocculus and the ansiform lobule receive corticopontine mossy fibers from postrolandic visu... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3955768 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3955768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3955767&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20809107%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Takei A, Hamada S, Homma S, Hamada K, Tashiro K, Hamada T The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tandospirone on ataxia in various types of spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD). Fifteen milligram per day of tandospirone was administered to 39 patients with SCD (spinocerebellar atrophy (SCA) 1, five patients; SCA2, six patients; Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), 14 patient; SCA6, five patients; multiple system atrophy-cerebellar type (MSA-C), seven patients; and multiple system atrophy-Parkinson type (MSA-P), two patients). All patients were assessed before and 4 weeks after administration of the drug using the international cooperative ataxia rating scale total score (ARS), total length traveled (TLT) of body stabilometry, and a self-rating depression scale. Statist... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3955767 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3955767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3955769&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20740336%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Minnerop M, Klinke I, Schmitz-Hübsch T, Hendriks M, Klockgether T, Wüllner U, Helmstaedter C PMID: 20740336 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3955769 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3955769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3900584&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20734176%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Saute JA, da Silva AC, Donis KC, Vedolin L, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Jardim LB PMID: 20734176 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cerebellum) Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3900584 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3900584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3900585&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20730634%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu X, Nestrasil I, Ashe J, Tuite P, Bushara K The unique anatomical and electrophysiological features of the inferior olive and its importance to cerebellar function have been recognized for decades. However, understanding the exact function of the inferior olive has been limited by the general lack of correlation between its neural activity and specific behavioral states. Electrophysiological studies in animals showed that the inferior olive response to sensory stimuli is generally invariant to stimulus properties but is enhanced by unexpected stimuli. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans, we have shown that the inferior olive is activated when subjects performed a task requiring perception of visual stimuli with unpredictable timing (Xu et al. J Neurosci 26(... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3900585 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3900585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3900583&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20734177%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Isope P, Hildebrand ME, Snutch TP Low threshold voltage-gated T-type calcium channels have long been implicated in the electrical excitability and calcium signaling of cerebellar Purkinje neurons although the molecular composition, localization, and modulation of T-type channels within Purkinje cells have only recently been addressed. The specific functional roles that T-type channels play in local synaptic integration within Purkinje spines are also currently being unraveled. Overall, Purkinje neurons represent a powerful model system to explore the potential roles of postsynaptic T-type channels throughout the nervous system. In this review, we present an overview of T-type calcium channel biophysical, pharmacological, and physiological characteristics that provides a founda... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3900583 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3900583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3873154&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20711853%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we analyzed 66 consecutive patients with isolated cerebellar infarctions demonstrated on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We identified the involved lobules in these patients using a cross-referencing tool of the picture archiving and communication system, and we investigated the relationships between the sites of the lesions and specific symptoms using chi (2) tests and logistic regression analysis. The most common symptoms in patients with isolated cerebellar infarctions were vertigo (87%) and lateropulsion (82%). Isolated vertigo or lateropulsion without any other symptoms was present in 38% of patients. On the other hand, limb ataxia was a presenting symptom in only 40% of the patients. Lateropulsion, vertigo, and nystagmus were more common in patients with... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3873154 Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3873154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3873155&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20700772%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Louboutin JP, Reyes BA, Van Bockstaele EJ, Strayer DS There are several diseases for which gene transfer therapy to the cerebellum might be practicable. In these studies, we used recombinant Tag-deleted SV40-derived vectors (rSV40s) to study gene delivery targeting the cerebellum. These vectors transduce neurons and microglia very effectively in vitro and in vivo, and so we tested them to evaluate gene transfer to the cerebellum in vivo. Using a rSV40 vector carrying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-Nef with a C-terminal FLAG epitope, we characterized the distribution, duration, and cell types transduced. Rats received test and control vectors by stereotaxic injection into the cerebellum. Transgene expression was assessed 1, 2, and 4 weeks later by immunostaining of serial b... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3873155 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3873155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3855607&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20697860%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Taylor JA, Klemfuss NM, Ivry RB In sensorimotor adaptation, explicit cognitive strategies are thought to be unnecessary because the motor system implicitly corrects performance throughout training. This seemingly automatic process involves computing an error between the planned movement and actual feedback of the movement. When explicitly provided with an effective strategy to overcome an experimentally induced visual perturbation, people are immediately successful and regain good task performance. However, as training continues, their accuracy gets worse over time. This counterintuitive result has been attributed to the independence of implicit motor processes and explicit cognitive strategies. The cerebellum has been hypothesized to be critical for the computation of the mot... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3855607 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3855607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3855608&cid=s_37290_168_f&fid=37290&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20694539%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Courjaret R, Miras-Portugal MT, Deitmer JW Extracellular purines exert their action in the nervous system through purinergic neurotransmission and neuromodulatory processes. Among brain areas, efforts have been made to investigate the purinergic modulation of the cerebellar cortex. In addition, the use of granule cells in culture as a neuronal in vitro model provided important information about the implications of purines in mechanisms such as cell survival and differentiation. This short review is focused on the function of purines in the physiology of granule cells in situ and in vitro. In situ, adenosine has been shown to inhibit some of the glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic inputs to granule cells. The inhibition of GABA input allows an increase in the excitability of t... Cerebellum journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3855608 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3855608