1
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Parker Jones O, Geva S, Prejawa S, Hope TMH, Oberhuber M, Seghier ML, Green DW, Price CJ. Dissociating Cerebellar Regions Involved in Formulating and Articulating Words and Sentences. NEUROBIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 5:795-817. [PMID: 39175783 PMCID: PMC11338308 DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
We investigated which parts of the cerebellum are involved in formulating and articulating sentences using (i) a sentence production task that involved describing simple events in pictures; (ii) an auditory sentence repetition task involving the same sentence articulation but not sentence formulation; and (iii) an auditory sentence-to-picture matching task that involved the same pictorial events and no overt articulation. Activation for each of these tasks was compared to the equivalent word processing tasks: noun production, verb production, auditory noun repetition, and auditory noun-to-picture matching. We associate activation in bilateral cerebellum lobule VIIb with sequencing words into sentences because it increased for sentence production compared to all other conditions and was also activated by word production compared to word matching. We associate a paravermal part of right cerebellar lobule VIIIb with overt motor execution of speech, because activation was higher during (i) production and repetition of sentences compared to the corresponding noun conditions and (ii) noun and verb production compared to all matching tasks, with no activation relative to fixation during any silent (nonspeaking) matching task. We associate activation within right cerebellar Crus II with covert articulatory activity because it activated for (i) all speech production more than matching tasks and (ii) sentences compared to nouns during silent (nonspeaking) matching as well as sentence production and sentence repetition. Our study serendipitously segregated, for the first time, three distinct functional roles for the cerebellum in generic speech production, and it demonstrated how sentence production enhanced the demands on these cerebellar regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oiwi Parker Jones
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Jesus College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sharon Geva
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Mind and Behaviour, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Susan Prejawa
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas M. H. Hope
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marion Oberhuber
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mohamed L. Seghier
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Biomedical Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - David W. Green
- Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Cathy J. Price
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
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2
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Campbell T, Diuguid C, Vasaya S, Janda P, Vickers A. Mixed Aphasia Caused by Bilateral Cerebellar Infarcts: a Case Report. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:255-259. [PMID: 36690828 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01521-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Although neuroanatomical and physiological understanding of the cerebellum has evolved over recent decades and continues to develop, there is much that remains to be expounded upon, especially with regard to nonmotor roles. Neurocognitive and language processing is one area where involvement of the cerebellum is no longer in question, but the extent and mechanism of this relationship have yet to be defined. For example, which of the cerebellar hemispheres is involved continues to be debated. We present a case wherein a thrombus in the basilar artery led to bihemispheric cerebellar strokes with profound mixed effects on the patient's language and cognition. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral cerebellar strokes resulting in a mixed aphasia reported in scientific literature. This demonstrates the importance of continued research into a model for cerebellar function and the clinical impact of lesions to various cerebellar regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Campbell
- Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas, USA.
- Las Vegas Neurology Center, 2020 Wellness Way Ste. 300, Las Vegas, NV, 89106, USA.
| | - Christy Diuguid
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada Las Vegas, 1650 W Charleston Blvd, NV, 89016, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Sannah Vasaya
- Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas, USA
- Las Vegas Neurology Center, 2020 Wellness Way Ste. 300, Las Vegas, NV, 89106, USA
| | - Paul Janda
- Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas, USA
- Las Vegas Neurology Center, 2020 Wellness Way Ste. 300, Las Vegas, NV, 89106, USA
- Neurology, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, USA
| | - Aroucha Vickers
- Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas, USA
- Las Vegas Neurology Center, 2020 Wellness Way Ste. 300, Las Vegas, NV, 89106, USA
- Neurology and Neuro-Ophthalmology, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, USA
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Department, Las Vegas Neurology Center, Las Vegas, USA
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3
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Pezzetta R, Gambarota F, Tarantino V, Devita M, Cattaneo Z, Arcara G, Mapelli D, Masina F. A meta-analysis of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) effects on cerebellar-associated cognitive processes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 157:105509. [PMID: 38101590 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), have provided valuable insights into the role of the cerebellum in cognitive processes. However, replicating findings from studies involving cerebellar stimulation poses challenges. This meta-analysis investigates the impact of NIBS on cognitive processes associated with the cerebellum. We conducted a systematic search and analyzed 66 studies and 91 experiments involving healthy adults who underwent either TMS or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the cerebellum. The results indicate that anodal tDCS applied to the medial cerebellum enhances cognitive performance. In contrast, high-frequency TMS disrupts cognitive performance when targeting the lateral cerebellar hemispheres or when employed in online protocols. Similarly, low-frequency TMS and continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) diminish performance in offline protocols. Moreover, high-frequency TMS impairs accuracy. By identifying consistent effects and moderators of modulation, this meta-analysis contributes to improving the replicability of studies using NIBS on the cerebellum and provides guidance for future research aimed at developing effective NIBS interventions targeting the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Filippo Gambarota
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Vincenza Tarantino
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Devita
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Geriatrics Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Zaira Cattaneo
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Mapelli
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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4
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Ponce GV, Klaus J, Schutter DJLG. A Brief History of Cerebellar Neurostimulation. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 21:715-730. [PMID: 34403075 PMCID: PMC9325826 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01310-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The first attempts at using electric stimulation to study human brain functions followed the experiments of Luigi Galvani and Giovanni Aldini on animal electricity during the eighteenth century. Since then, the cerebellum has been among the areas that have been studied by invasive and non-invasive forms of electrical and magnetic stimulation. During the nineteenth century, animal experiments were conducted to map the motor-related regions of cerebellar cortex by means of direct electric stimulation. As electric stimulation research on the cerebellum moved into the twentieth century, systematic research of electric cerebellar stimulation led to a better understanding of its effects and mechanism of action. In addition, the clinical potential of cerebellar stimulation in the treatment of motor diseases started to be explored. With the introduction of transcranial electric and magnetic stimulation, cerebellar research moved to non-invasive techniques. During the twenty-first century, following on groundbreaking research that linked the cerebellum to non-motor functions, non-invasive techniques have facilitated research into different aspects of cerebellar functioning. The present review provides a brief historical account of cerebellar neurostimulation and discusses current challenges and future direction in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo V Ponce
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jana Klaus
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis J L G Schutter
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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5
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Gelfo F, Petrosini L. Environmental Enrichment Enhances Cerebellar Compensation and Develops Cerebellar Reserve. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095697. [PMID: 35565093 PMCID: PMC9099498 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The brain is able to change its structure and function in response to environmental stimulations. Several human and animal studies have documented that enhanced stimulations provide individuals with strengthened brain structure and function that allow them to better cope with damage. In this framework, studies based on the exposure of animals to environmental enrichment (EE) have provided indications of the mechanisms involved in such a beneficial action. The cerebellum is a very plastic brain region that responds to every experience with deep structural and functional rearrangement. The present review specifically aims to collect and synthesize the evidence provided by animal models on EE exposure effects on cerebellar structure and function by considering the studies on healthy subjects and on animals exposed to EE both before and after damage involving cerebellar functionality. On the whole, the evidence supports the role of EE in enhancing cerebellar compensation and developing cerebellar reserve. However, since studies addressing this issue are still scarce, large areas of inconsistency and lack of clarity remain. Further studies are required to provide suggestions on possible mechanisms of enhancement of compensatory responses in human patients following cerebellar damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Via Plinio 44, 00193 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Petrosini
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy;
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6
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Bongaerts FLP, Schutter DJLG, Klaus J. Cerebellar tDCS does not modulate language processing performance in healthy individuals. Neuropsychologia 2022; 169:108206. [PMID: 35278462 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and neuroscientific studies in healthy volunteers have established that the cerebellum contributes to language comprehension and production. Yet most evidence is correlational and the exact role of the cerebellum remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the right cerebellum in unimpaired language comprehension and production using non-invasive brain stimulation. In this double-blind, sham-controlled experiment, thirty-six healthy participants received anodal or sham transcranial direct current (tDCS) stimulation to the right cerebellum while performing a lexical decision, sentence comprehension, verbal fluency and a non-language control task. Active tDCS did not modulate performance in any of the tasks. Additional exploratory analyses suggest difficulty-specific performance modulation in the sentence comprehension and lexical decision task, with tDCS improving performance in easy trials of the sentence comprehension task and difficult trials in the lexical decision task. Overall, our findings provide no evidence for the involvement of the right posterior cerebellum in language processing. Further research is needed to dissociate the influence of task difficulty of the underlying cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jana Klaus
- Utrecht University, Helmholtz Institute, the Netherlands.
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7
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Manto M, Argyropoulos GPD, Bocci T, Celnik PA, Corben LA, Guidetti M, Koch G, Priori A, Rothwell JC, Sadnicka A, Spampinato D, Ugawa Y, Wessel MJ, Ferrucci R. Consensus Paper: Novel Directions and Next Steps of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation of the Cerebellum in Health and Disease. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 21:1092-1122. [PMID: 34813040 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01344-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cerebellum is involved in multiple closed-loops circuitry which connect the cerebellar modules with the motor cortex, prefrontal, temporal, and parietal cortical areas, and contribute to motor control, cognitive processes, emotional processing, and behavior. Among them, the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway represents the anatomical substratum of cerebellum-motor cortex inhibition (CBI). However, the cerebellum is also connected with basal ganglia by disynaptic pathways, and cerebellar involvement in disorders commonly associated with basal ganglia dysfunction (e.g., Parkinson's disease and dystonia) has been suggested. Lately, cerebellar activity has been targeted by non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to indirectly affect and tune dysfunctional circuitry in the brain. Although the results are promising, several questions remain still unsolved. Here, a panel of experts from different specialties (neurophysiology, neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology) reviews the current results on cerebellar NIBS with the aim to derive the future steps and directions needed. We discuss the effects of TMS in the field of cerebellar neurophysiology, the potentials of cerebellar tDCS, the role of animal models in cerebellar NIBS applications, and the possible application of cerebellar NIBS in motor learning, stroke recovery, speech and language functions, neuropsychiatric and movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Manto
- Service de Neurologie, CHU-Charleroi, 6000, Charleroi, Belgium.,Service Des Neurosciences, UMons, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Georgios P D Argyropoulos
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Tommaso Bocci
- Aldo Ravelli Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142, Milan, Italy.,ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, Via di Rudinì, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - Pablo A Celnik
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Louise A Corben
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville. Victoria, Australia
| | - Matteo Guidetti
- Aldo Ravelli Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142, Milan, Italy.,Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Koch
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Priori
- Aldo Ravelli Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142, Milan, Italy.,ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, Via di Rudinì, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Anna Sadnicka
- Motor Control and Movement Disorders Group, St George's University of London, London, UK.,Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Danny Spampinato
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Yoshikazu Ugawa
- Department of Human Neurophysiology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Maximilian J Wessel
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland.,Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL Valais), Clinique Romande de Réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Roberta Ferrucci
- Aldo Ravelli Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142, Milan, Italy. .,ASST Santi Paolo E Carlo, Via di Rudinì, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.
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8
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Gatti D, Rinaldi L, Ferreri L, Vecchi T. The Human Cerebellum as a Hub of the Predictive Brain. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1492. [PMID: 34827491 PMCID: PMC8615481 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the cerebellum has long been believed to be involved uniquely in sensorimotor processes, recent research works pointed to its participation in a wide range of cognitive predictive functions. Here, we review the available evidence supporting a generalized role of the cerebellum in predictive computation. We then discuss the anatomo-physiological properties that make the cerebellum the ideal hub of the predictive brain. We further argue that cerebellar involvement in cognition may follow a continuous gradient, with higher cerebellar activity occurring for tasks relying more on predictive processes, and outline the empirical scenarios to probe this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Gatti
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.R.); (T.V.)
| | - Luca Rinaldi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.R.); (T.V.)
- Cognitive Psychology Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Ferreri
- Laboratoire d’Étude des Mécanismes Cognitifs, Université Lumière Lyon 2, 69767 Lyon, France;
| | - Tomaso Vecchi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.R.); (T.V.)
- Cognitive Psychology Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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9
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Geva S, Schneider LM, Roberts S, Green DW, Price CJ. The Effect of Focal Damage to the Right Medial Posterior Cerebellum on Word and Sentence Comprehension and Production. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:664650. [PMID: 34093152 PMCID: PMC8172582 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.664650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional imaging studies of neurologically intact adults have demonstrated that the right posterior cerebellum is activated during verb generation, semantic processing, sentence processing, and verbal fluency. Studies of patients with cerebellar damage converge to show that the cerebellum supports sentence processing and verbal fluency. However, to date there are no patient studies that investigated the specific importance of the right posterior cerebellum in language processing, because: (i) case studies presented patients with lesions affecting the anterior cerebellum (with or without damage to the posterior cerebellum), and (ii) group studies combined patients with lesions to different cerebellar regions, without specifically reporting the effects of right posterior cerebellar damage. Here we investigated whether damage to the right posterior cerebellum is critical for sentence processing and verbal fluency in four patients with focal stroke damage to different parts of the right posterior cerebellum (all involving Crus II, and lobules VII and VIII). We examined detailed lesion location by going beyond common anatomical definitions of cerebellar anatomy (i.e., according to lobules or vascular territory), and employed a recently proposed functional parcellation of the cerebellum. All four patients experienced language difficulties that persisted for at least a month after stroke but three performed in the normal range within a year. In contrast, one patient with more damage to lobule IX than the other patients had profound long-lasting impairments in the comprehension and repetition of sentences, and the production of spoken sentences during picture description. Spoken and written word comprehension and visual recognition memory were also impaired, however, verbal fluency was within the normal range, together with object naming, visual perception and verbal short-term memory. This is the first study to show that focal damage to the right posterior cerebellum leads to language difficulties after stroke; and that processing impairments persisted in the case with most damage to lobule IX. We discuss these results in relation to current theories of cerebellar contribution to language processing. Overall, our study highlights the need for longitudinal studies of language function in patients with focal damage to different cerebellar regions, with functional imaging to understand the mechanisms that support recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Geva
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Letitia M Schneider
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Cognition, Emotion and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie Roberts
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David W Green
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cathy J Price
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Rice LC, D'Mello AM, Stoodley CJ. Differential Behavioral and Neural Effects of Regional Cerebellar tDCS. Neuroscience 2021; 462:288-302. [PMID: 33731315 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human cerebellum contributes to both motor and non-motor processes. Within the cerebellum, different subregions support sensorimotor and broader cognitive functions, due to regional patterns in anatomical connectivity with the cerebral cortex and spinal and vestibular systems. We evaluated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting different cerebellar regions on language task performance and whole-brain functional activation patterns. Functional MRI data were acquired while 43 healthy young adults (15 males, 28 females; 23.3 ± 3.0 years) performed a sentence completion task before and after 20 min of 1.5 mA anodal tDCS. Participants received tDCS targeting either the anterior sensorimotor cerebellum (n = 11; 3 cm right of inion, over lobule V); the right posterolateral cerebellum (n = 18; 1 cm down and 4 cm right of inion, over lobule VII); or sham tDCS (n = 14). TDCS targeting the right posterolateral cerebellum improved task accuracy relative to the sham condition (p = 0.04) and increased activation in left frontal and temporal cortices relevant to task performance (post-tDCS > pre-tDCS; T 3.17, FDR p < 0.05 cluster correction). The regions of increased BOLD signal after right posterolateral cerebellar tDCS fell within the network showing functional connectivity with right cerebellar lobule VII, suggesting specific modulation of this network. In contrast, tDCS targeting the sensorimotor cerebellum did not impact task performance and increased BOLD signal only in one cluster extending into the precentral gyrus. These findings indicate that sensorimotor and cognitive functional cerebellar subregions differentially impact behavioral task performance and task-relevant activation patterns, further contributing to our understanding of the cerebellar modulation of motor and non-motor functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Rice
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
| | - Anila M D'Mello
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
| | - Catherine J Stoodley
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
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11
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Gatti D, Vecchi T, Mazzoni G. Cerebellum and semantic memory: A TMS study using the DRM paradigm. Cortex 2020; 135:78-91. [PMID: 33360762 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, the cerebellum has been linked to motor functions, but recent evidence suggest that it is also involved in a wide range of cognitive processes. Given the uniformity of cerebellar cortex microstructure, it has been proposed that the same computational process might underlie cerebellar involvement in both motor and cognitive functions. Within motor functions, the cerebellum it is involved in procedural memory and associative learning. Here, we hypothesized that the cerebellum may participate to semantic memory as well. To test whether the cerebellum is causally involved in semantic memory, we carried out two experiments in which participants performed the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm (DRM) while online transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was administered over the right cerebellum or over a control site. In Experiment 1, cerebellar TMS selectively affected participants' discriminability for critical lures without affecting participants' discriminability for unrelated words and in Experiment 2 we found that the higher was the semantic association between new and studied words, the higher was the memory impairment caused by the TMS. These results indicate that the right cerebellum is causally involved in semantic memory and provide evidence consistent with theories that proposed the existence of a unified cerebellar function within motor and cognitive domains, as well with recent perspectives about cerebellar involvement in semantic memory and predictive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Gatti
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Tomaso Vecchi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Cognitive Psychology Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuliana Mazzoni
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy; School of Life Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
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12
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Zhang H, Bao Y, Feng Y, Hu H, Wang Y. Evidence for Reciprocal Structural Network Interactions Between Bilateral Crus Lobes and Broca's Complex. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:27. [PMID: 32625067 PMCID: PMC7316155 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
While the proximal dentatothalamocortical tracts are considered pivotal in the occurrence of cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) after medulloblastoma resection, how the cerebellum participates in motor–speech networks through direct structural connectivity is still unclear. Via tractography, we provide evidence of cerebellar streamlines projecting into the left inferior frontal gyrus majorly connecting Broca’s complex and the bilateral Crus lobes. The streamlines, named Crus–Broca tracts, originated from the bilateral Crus lobes, synapsed onto the dentate nucleus, ascended into the superior cerebellar peduncle (where these streamlines were closely superior to the superior border of the supratonsillar cleft and the superolateral roof of the fourth ventricle), surprisingly bypassed the left red nucleus and the left thalamus, and ended at the subregions of Broca’s complex. The streamlines, named Broca–Crus tracts, originated from the subregions of Broca’s complex and ended predominantly at the right Crus lobes. If verified, the existence of these connections would support the notion of the bilateral cerebellums’ participation in motor–speech planning, and the anatomical relationship of Broca–Crus tracts with the supratonsillar cleft would merit consideration for further studies aimed at further elucidating CMS mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuan Feng
- Sleep Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haijun Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yibao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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13
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Argyropoulos GPD, van Dun K, Adamaszek M, Leggio M, Manto M, Masciullo M, Molinari M, Stoodley CJ, Van Overwalle F, Ivry RB, Schmahmann JD. The Cerebellar Cognitive Affective/Schmahmann Syndrome: a Task Force Paper. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 19:102-125. [PMID: 31522332 PMCID: PMC6978293 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-019-01068-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Sporadically advocated over the last two centuries, a cerebellar role in cognition and affect has been rigorously established in the past few decades. In the clinical domain, such progress is epitomized by the "cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome" ("CCAS") or "Schmahmann syndrome." Introduced in the late 1990s, CCAS reflects a constellation of cerebellar-induced sequelae, comprising deficits in executive function, visuospatial cognition, emotion-affect, and language, over and above speech. The CCAS thus offers excellent grounds to investigate the functional topography of the cerebellum, and, ultimately, illustrate the precise mechanisms by which the cerebellum modulates cognition and affect. The primary objective of this task force paper is thus to stimulate further research in this area. After providing an up-to-date overview of the fundamental findings on cerebellar neurocognition, the paper substantiates the concept of CCAS with recent evidence from different scientific angles, promotes awareness of the CCAS as a clinical entity, and examines our current insight into the therapeutic options available. The paper finally identifies topics of divergence and outstanding questions for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim van Dun
- Rehabilitation Research Center REVAL, UHasselt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Michael Adamaszek
- Clinical and Cognitive Neurorehabilitation, Center of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Klinik Bavaria Kreischa, An der Wolfsschlucht 1-2, 01703 Kreischa, Germany
| | - Maria Leggio
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Manto
- Department of Neurology, CHU-Charleroi, 6000 Charleroi, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Marcella Masciullo
- SPInal REhabilitation Lab (SPIRE), IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Molinari
- Neuro-Robot Rehabilitation Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Richard B. Ivry
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Jeremy D. Schmahmann
- Ataxia Unit, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
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14
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Argyropoulos GPD, van Dun K, Adamaszek M, Leggio M, Manto M, Masciullo M, Molinari M, Stoodley CJ, Van Overwalle F, Ivry RB, Schmahmann JD. The Cerebellar Cognitive Affective/Schmahmann Syndrome: a Task Force Paper. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019. [PMID: 31522332 DOI: 10.1007/s12311‐019‐01068‐8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sporadically advocated over the last two centuries, a cerebellar role in cognition and affect has been rigorously established in the past few decades. In the clinical domain, such progress is epitomized by the "cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome" ("CCAS") or "Schmahmann syndrome." Introduced in the late 1990s, CCAS reflects a constellation of cerebellar-induced sequelae, comprising deficits in executive function, visuospatial cognition, emotion-affect, and language, over and above speech. The CCAS thus offers excellent grounds to investigate the functional topography of the cerebellum, and, ultimately, illustrate the precise mechanisms by which the cerebellum modulates cognition and affect. The primary objective of this task force paper is thus to stimulate further research in this area. After providing an up-to-date overview of the fundamental findings on cerebellar neurocognition, the paper substantiates the concept of CCAS with recent evidence from different scientific angles, promotes awareness of the CCAS as a clinical entity, and examines our current insight into the therapeutic options available. The paper finally identifies topics of divergence and outstanding questions for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim van Dun
- Rehabilitation Research Center REVAL, UHasselt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Michael Adamaszek
- Clinical and Cognitive Neurorehabilitation, Center of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Klinik Bavaria Kreischa, An der Wolfsschlucht 1-2, 01703, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Maria Leggio
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Manto
- Department of Neurology, CHU-Charleroi, 6000, Charleroi, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marcella Masciullo
- SPInal REhabilitation Lab (SPIRE), IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Molinari
- Neuro-Robot Rehabilitation Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Richard B Ivry
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy D Schmahmann
- Ataxia Unit, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Mariën P, Manto M. Cerebellum as a Master-Piece for Linguistic Predictability. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 17:101-103. [PMID: 29071518 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-017-0894-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mariën
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistic, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Department of Neurology and Memory Clinic, ZNA Middelheim, Lindendreef 1, B-2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Mario Manto
- Unité d'Étude du Mouvement, FNRS, ULB-Erasme, Route de Lennik 808, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium.,Service des Neurosciences, UMons, 7000, Mons, Belgium
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16
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Prediction, Psychosis, and the Cerebellum. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:820-831. [PMID: 31495402 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
An increasingly influential hypothesis posits that many of the diverse symptoms of psychosis can be viewed as reflecting dysfunctional predictive mechanisms. Indeed, to perceive something is to take a sensory input and make a prediction of the external source of that signal; thus, prediction is perhaps the most fundamental neural computation. Given the ubiquity of prediction, a more challenging problem is to specify the unique predictive role or capability of a particular brain structure. This question is relevant when considering recent claims that one aspect of the predictive deficits observed in psychotic disorders might be related to cerebellar dysfunction, a subcortical structure known to play a critical role in predictive sensorimotor control and perhaps higher-level cognitive function. Here, we review evidence bearing on this question. We first focus on clinical, behavioral, and neuroimaging findings suggesting cerebellar involvement in psychosis and, specifically, schizophrenia. We then review a relatively novel line of research exploring whether computational models of cerebellar motor function can also account for cerebellar involvement in higher-order human cognition, and in particular, language function. We end the review by highlighting some key gaps in these literatures, limitations that currently preclude strong conclusions regarding cerebellar involvement in psychosis.
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17
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Sheu YS, Liang Y, Desmond JE. Disruption of Cerebellar Prediction in Verbal Working Memory. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:61. [PMID: 30846935 PMCID: PMC6393359 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that the right cerebellum contributes to verbal working memory, but the functional role of this contribution remains unclear. In an established theory of motor control, the cerebellum is thought to predict sensory consequences of movements through an internal "forward model." Here, we hypothesize a similar predictive process can generalize to cerebellar non-motor function, and that the right cerebellum plays a predictive role that is beneficial for rapidly engaging the phonological loop in verbal working memory. To test this hypothesis, double-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was administered over either the right cerebellum or right occipital lobe (control site), on half the trials, to interrupt the rehearsal of a 6-letter sequence. We found that cerebellar stimulation resulted in greater errors in participants' report of the letter in the current position. Additional analyses revealed that immediately after cerebellar TMS, participants were more likely to use out of date information to predict the next letter in the sequence. This pattern of errors is consistent with TMS causing a temporary disruption of state estimation and cerebellar forward model function, leading to prediction errors in the phonological loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Shin Sheu
- Department of Neurology, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yu Liang
- Department of Neurology, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - John E Desmond
- Department of Neurology, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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18
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The role of the human cerebellum in linguistic prediction, word generation and verbal working memory: evidence from brain imaging, non-invasive cerebellar stimulation and lesion studies. Neuropsychologia 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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19
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Lametti DR, Smith HJ, Freidin PF, Watkins KE. Cortico-cerebellar Networks Drive Sensorimotor Learning in Speech. J Cogn Neurosci 2018; 30:540-551. [DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The motor cortex and cerebellum are thought to be critical for learning and maintaining motor behaviors. Here we use transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to test the role of the motor cortex and cerebellum in sensorimotor learning in speech. During productions of “head,” “bed,” and “dead,” the first formant of the vowel sound was altered in real time toward the first formant of the vowel sound in “had,” “bad,” and “dad.” Compensatory changes in first and second formant production were used as a measure of motor adaptation. tDCS to either the motor cortex or the cerebellum improved sensorimotor learning in speech compared with sham stimulation ( n = 20 in each group). However, in the case of cerebellar tDCS, production changes were restricted to the source of the acoustical error (i.e., the first formant). Motor cortex tDCS drove production changes that offset errors in the first formant, but unlike cerebellar tDCS, adaptive changes in the second formant also occurred. The results suggest that motor cortex and cerebellar tDCS have both shared and dissociable effects on motor adaptation. The study provides initial causal evidence in speech production that the motor cortex and the cerebellum support different aspects of sensorimotor learning. We propose that motor cortex tDCS drives sensorimotor learning toward previously learned patterns of movement, whereas cerebellar tDCS focuses sensorimotor learning on error correction.
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20
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Allen-Walker LST, Bracewell RM, Thierry G, Mari-Beffa P. Facilitation of Fast Backward Priming After Left Cerebellar Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2018; 17:132-142. [PMID: 28875335 PMCID: PMC5849638 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-017-0881-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Traditional theories of backward priming account only for the priming effects found at long stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs). Here, we suggest that the presence of backward priming at short SOAs may be related to the integrative role of the cerebellum. Previous research has shown that the right cerebellum is involved in forward associative priming. Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals some activation of the left cerebellar hemisphere during backward priming; but what this activation represents is unclear. Here we explore this issue using continuous theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) and associative priming in a lexical decision task. We tested the hypothesis that the left cerebellum plays a role in backward priming and that this is dissociated from the role of the right cerebellum in forward priming. Before and after cTBS was applied to their left and right cerebellar hemispheres, participants completed a lexical decision task. Although we did not replicate the forward priming effect reported in the literature, we did find a significant increase in backward priming after left relative to right cerebellar cTBS. We consider how theories of cerebellar function in the motor domain can be extended to language and cognitive models of backward priming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R Martyn Bracewell
- School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2AS, UK
- School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2AS, UK
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21
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Oldrati V, Schutter DJLG. Targeting the Human Cerebellum with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Modulate Behavior: a Meta-Analysis. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2018; 17:228-236. [PMID: 28786014 PMCID: PMC5849643 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-017-0877-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is increasingly used to study motor- and non-motor-related functions of the cerebellum. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively review available studies to estimate the efficacy of cerebellar tDCS in altering motor- and cognitive-related behavioral performance in healthy volunteers. The present meta-analysis included 32 sham-controlled studies. Results from random effects modeling of the cumulative effect size demonstrated that anodal and cathodal tDCS to the cerebellum were effective in changing performance. No evidence for polarity-dependent effects of cerebellar tDCS was found. Current findings establish the feasibility to target motor and non-motor-related cerebellar functions with tDCS, but arguably due to anatomical differences between the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, the polarity of tDCS is not predictive of the direction of the behavioral changes in healthy volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Oldrati
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza A. Botta 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dennis J L G Schutter
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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22
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Jalali R, Chowdhury A, Wilson M, Miall RC, Galea JM. Neural changes associated with cerebellar tDCS studied using MR spectroscopy. Exp Brain Res 2018; 236:997-1006. [PMID: 29404634 PMCID: PMC5887008 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5170-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Anodal cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is known to enhance motor learning, and therefore, has been suggested to hold promise as a therapeutic intervention. However, the neural mechanisms underpinning the effects of cerebellar tDCS are currently unknown. We investigated the neural changes associated with cerebellar tDCS using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). 34 healthy participants were divided into two groups which received either concurrent anodal or sham cerebellar tDCS during a visuomotor adaptation task. The anodal group underwent an additional session involving MRS in which the main inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters: GABA and glutamate (Glu) were measured pre-, during, and post anodal cerebellar tDCS, but without the behavioural task. We found no significant group-level changes in GABA or glutamate during- or post-tDCS compared to pre-tDCS levels, however, there was large degree of variability across participants. Although cerebellar tDCS did not affect visuomotor adaptation, surprisingly cerebellar tDCS increased motor memory retention with this being strongly correlated with a decrease in cerebellar glutamate levels during tDCS across participants. This work provides novel insights regarding the neural mechanisms which may underlie cerebellar tDCS, but also reveals limitations in the ability to produce robust effects across participants and between studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Jalali
- Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences (PSIBS), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. .,School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Alimul Chowdhury
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,Medical Physics, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK
| | - Martin Wilson
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - R Chris Miall
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Joseph M Galea
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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23
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Right Lateral Cerebellum Represents Linguistic Predictability. J Neurosci 2017; 37:6231-6241. [PMID: 28546307 PMCID: PMC5490062 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3203-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that posterolateral portions of the cerebellum (right Crus I/II) contribute to language processing, but the nature of this role remains unclear. Based on a well-supported theory of cerebellar motor function, which ascribes to the cerebellum a role in short-term prediction through internal modeling, we hypothesize that right cerebellar Crus I/II supports prediction of upcoming sentence content. We tested this hypothesis using event-related fMRI in male and female human subjects by manipulating the predictability of written sentences. Our design controlled for motor planning and execution, as well as for linguistic features and working memory load; it also allowed separation of the prediction interval from the presentation of the final sentence item. In addition, three further fMRI tasks captured semantic, phonological, and orthographic processing to shed light on the nature of the information processed. As hypothesized, activity in right posterolateral cerebellum correlated with the predictability of the upcoming target word. This cerebellar region also responded to prediction error during the outcome of the trial. Further, this region was engaged in phonological, but not semantic or orthographic, processing. This is the first imaging study to demonstrate a right cerebellar contribution in language comprehension independently from motor, cognitive, and linguistic confounds. These results complement our work using other methodologies showing cerebellar engagement in linguistic prediction and suggest that internal modeling of phonological representations aids language production and comprehension. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The cerebellum is traditionally seen as a motor structure that allows for smooth movement by predicting upcoming signals. However, the cerebellum is also consistently implicated in nonmotor functions such as language and working memory. Using fMRI, we identify a cerebellar area that is active when words are predicted and when these predictions are violated. This area is active in a separate task that requires phonological processing, but not in tasks that require semantic or visuospatial processing. Our results support the idea of prediction as a unifying cerebellar function in motor and nonmotor domains. We provide new insights by linking the cerebellar role in prediction to its role in verbal working memory, suggesting that these predictions involve phonological processing.
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24
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Sokolov AA, Miall RC, Ivry RB. The Cerebellum: Adaptive Prediction for Movement and Cognition. Trends Cogn Sci 2017; 21:313-332. [PMID: 28385461 PMCID: PMC5477675 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 387] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 30 years, cumulative evidence has indicated that cerebellar function extends beyond sensorimotor control. This view has emerged from studies of neuroanatomy, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and brain stimulation, with the results implicating the cerebellum in domains as diverse as attention, language, executive function, and social cognition. Although the literature provides sophisticated models of how the cerebellum helps refine movements, it remains unclear how the core mechanisms of these models can be applied when considering a broader conceptualization of cerebellar function. In light of recent multidisciplinary findings, we examine how two key concepts that have been suggested as general computational principles of cerebellar function- prediction and error-based learning- might be relevant in the operation of cognitive cerebro-cerebellar loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arseny A Sokolov
- Service de Neurologie, Département des Neurosciences Cliniques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne 1011, Switzerland; Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - R Chris Miall
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Richard B Ivry
- Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA
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25
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Jalali R, Miall RC, Galea JM. No consistent effect of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation on visuomotor adaptation. J Neurophysiol 2017; 118:655-665. [PMID: 28298304 PMCID: PMC5539446 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00896.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) is known to enhance motor adaptation and thus holds promise as a therapeutic intervention. However, understanding the reliability of ctDCS across varying task parameters is crucial. To examine this, we investigated whether ctDCS enhanced visuomotor adaptation across a range of varying task parameters. We found ctDCS to have no consistent effect on visuomotor adaptation, questioning the validity of using ctDCS within a clinical context. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) is known to enhance adaptation to a novel visual rotation (visuomotor adaptation), and it is suggested to hold promise as a therapeutic intervention. However, it is unknown whether this effect is robust across varying task parameters. This question is crucial if ctDCS is to be used clinically, because it must have a consistent and robust effect across a relatively wide range of behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ctDCS on visuomotor adaptation across a wide range of task parameters that were systematically varied. Therefore, 192 young healthy individuals participated in 1 of 7 visuomotor adaptation experiments in either an anodal or sham ctDCS group. Each experiment examined whether ctDCS had a positive effect on adaptation when a unique feature of the task was altered: position of the monitor, offline tDCS, use of a tool, and perturbation schedule. Although we initially replicated the previously reported positive effect of ctDCS on visuomotor adaptation, this was not maintained during a second replication study or across a large range of varying task parameters. At the very least, this may call into question the validity of using ctDCS within a clinical context where a robust and consistent effect across behavior would be required. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) is known to enhance motor adaptation and thus holds promise as a therapeutic intervention. However, understanding the reliability of ctDCS across varying task parameters is crucial. To examine this, we investigated whether ctDCS enhanced visuomotor adaptation across a range of varying task parameters. We found ctDCS to have no consistent effect on visuomotor adaptation, questioning the validity of using ctDCS within a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Jalali
- Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences, Doctoral Training Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and .,School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - R Chris Miall
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph M Galea
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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26
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Cerebellar tDCS Modulates Neural Circuits during Semantic Prediction: A Combined tDCS-fMRI Study. J Neurosci 2017; 37:1604-1613. [PMID: 28069925 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2818-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been proposed that the cerebellum acquires internal models of mental processes that enable prediction, allowing for the optimization of behavior. In language, semantic prediction speeds speech production and comprehension. Right cerebellar lobules VI and VII (including Crus I/II) are engaged during a variety of language processes and are functionally connected with cerebral cortical language networks. Further, right posterolateral cerebellar neuromodulation modifies behavior during predictive language processing. These data are consistent with a role for the cerebellum in semantic processing and semantic prediction. We combined transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and fMRI to assess the behavioral and neural consequences of cerebellar tDCS during a sentence completion task. Task-based and resting-state fMRI data were acquired in healthy human adults (n = 32; μ = 23.1 years) both before and after 20 min of 1.5 mA anodal (n = 18) or sham (n = 14) tDCS applied to the right posterolateral cerebellum. In the sentence completion task, the first four words of the sentence modulated the predictability of the final target word. In some sentences, the preceding context strongly predicted the target word, whereas other sentences were nonpredictive. Completion of predictive sentences increased activation in right Crus I/II of the cerebellum. Relative to sham tDCS, anodal tDCS increased activation in right Crus I/II during semantic prediction and enhanced resting-state functional connectivity between hubs of the reading/language networks. These results are consistent with a role for the right posterolateral cerebellum beyond motor aspects of language, and suggest that cerebellar internal models of linguistic stimuli support semantic prediction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cerebellar involvement in language tasks and language networks is now well established, yet the specific cerebellar contribution to language processing remains unclear. It is thought that the cerebellum acquires internal models of mental processes that enable prediction, allowing for the optimization of behavior. Here we combined neuroimaging and neuromodulation to provide evidence that the cerebellum is specifically involved in semantic prediction during sentence processing. We found that activation within right Crus I/II was enhanced when semantic predictions were made, and we show that modulation of this region with transcranial direct current stimulation alters both activation patterns and functional connectivity within whole-brain language networks. For the first time, these data show that cerebellar neuromodulation impacts activation patterns specifically during predictive language processing.
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27
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Lametti DR, Oostwoud Wijdenes L, Bonaiuto J, Bestmann S, Rothwell JC. Cerebellar tDCS dissociates the timing of perceptual decisions from perceptual change in speech. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:2023-2032. [PMID: 27489368 PMCID: PMC5102311 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00433.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies suggest that the cerebellum might play a role in both speech perception and speech perceptual learning. However, it remains unclear what this role is: does the cerebellum help shape the perceptual decision, or does it contribute to the timing of perceptual decisions? To test this, we used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with a speech perception task. Participants experienced a series of speech perceptual tests designed to measure and then manipulate (via training) their perception of a phonetic contrast. One group received cerebellar tDCS during speech perceptual learning, and a different group received sham tDCS during the same task. Both groups showed similar learning-related changes in speech perception that transferred to a different phonetic contrast. For both trained and untrained speech perceptual decisions, cerebellar tDCS significantly increased the time it took participants to indicate their decisions with a keyboard press. By analyzing perceptual responses made by both hands, we present evidence that cerebellar tDCS disrupted the timing of perceptual decisions, while leaving the eventual decision unaltered. In support of this conclusion, we use the drift diffusion model to decompose the data into processes that determine the outcome of perceptual decision-making and those that do not. The modeling suggests that cerebellar tDCS disrupted processes unrelated to decision-making. Taken together, the empirical data and modeling demonstrate that right cerebellar tDCS dissociates the timing of perceptual decisions from perceptual change. The results provide initial evidence in healthy humans that the cerebellum critically contributes to speech timing in the perceptual domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Lametti
- Department of Experimental Psychology, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - James Bonaiuto
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Bestmann
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John C Rothwell
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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