Thanks to it we carry out automatic actions, such as driving a car. The cerebellum is connected to the limbic system and the brain amygdala. Thanks to this point of union, we can regulate our emotions, associate sensations with feelings, and learn from these processes in turn. In , an interesting article was published in the Journal of Neurology where Dr.
Jeremy D. Schmahmann , from Harvard Medical School and director of the ataxia unit at Massachusetts General Hospital revealed something shocking. The cerebellum is key in our cognitive processes. This theory was developed after extensive clinical practice.
He was able to see how patients with cerebellar damage had deficits in the cognitive domains of executive function, spatial cognition, and language.
The cerebellum has connections with different parts of the central nervous system, thanks to which it carries out multiple functions:. In the different connections of the cerebellum with the other areas, it almost always acts as a regulator. It records information and regulates the movements of different parts of the body, depending on the structure to which it is connected. Functions such as maintaining balance or learning a movement could be difficult if these pathways are broken.
When the cerebellum is injured, some of its functions can be compromised and cause motor problems. There may be a loss of the ability to precisely control the direction, force, speed and amplitude of movements, as well as the ability to adapt output patterns to changing conditions. The deficits can be produced suddenly by an injury, or gradually by degeneration of the cerebellum. Cerebellar syndrome can be caused by injury to the cerebellum or the cerebellar pathways. Organ damage can lead to two different symptomatic syndromes: vermian archicerebellar syndrome with alterations in static and gait, and cerebellar hemispheric neocerebellar syndrome with alterations in movement coordination.
The lesion of the afferent pathways produces an archicerebellar syndrome, and that of the efferent pathways is manifested by a neocerebellar syndrome. A person with a cerebellar injury may find it difficult to maintain a seasonal posture standing , and trying to do so leads to tremors.
It is also common to detect abnormalities in balance, gait, speech and even in the control of eye movements. So movements of all kinds can be affected. It is difficult for those who suffer from it to learn new motor sequences. Some neurological diseases can cause neuronal death in the cerebellum.
In this way, cerebellar degeneration can favor the following conditions:. The most characteristic symptoms of cerebellar degeneration are a wobbly and unsteady gait with the legs apart, usually accompanied by a wobble of the trunk, back and forth. Other symptoms include slow, unsteady, jerky movements of the arms and legs, slow and slurred speech, and nystagmus small, rapid movements of the eyes.
Cerebellar degeneration is often the consequence of inherited genetic mutations that alter the normal production of specific proteins necessary for the survival of neurons. Treatment of disorders of the cerebellum is limited to physical therapy and learning to live with the lack or defects in motor skills.
Disorders of the cerebellum are rare, but their impact can be very damaging and seriously affect the quality of life of those who suffer from them. Cerebellar ataxia, more than a disease, is a clinical sign that manifests itself when there is some involvement of the cerebellum, which can be the product of different underlying pathologies.
This alteration produces changes in the way the person walks, since it prevents them from being able to move in the same way, since the affected cerebellar fibers are in charge of regulating the coordination of movements and balance.
Ataxias have been investigated for many years, as doctors and especially neurologists became aware of the deficiencies that some people presented when walking, which was indicative of damage to the cerebellum. However, there is no exact date when it was discovered because not all ataxias are the same or affect the same portion of the nerve structure.
The term ataxia is the result of a Greek combination, in which three vocables were used to form the word. For example, the first part that is the -a- refers to lack of, while the second that is taxis means order, then by adding the suffix -ia-, the term is completed, to result in loss of order or control, in this case of body movement. This alteration is called that way, since the structure of the nervous system that it affects is the cerebellum, which, as we already know, is responsible for controlling movement, by regulating the components that must be activated for a movement of the most effective way possible for the person.
There are basically six parts of the brain. Each part contains important structures. This information is a very general overview of the basic functions of the parts. Neuropsychological testing can isolate specific areas of the brain that are affected by injury thereby tailoring a specific treatment plan.
Frontal Lobes The frontal lobes of the brain are located just as they are titled, right up in the front of the skull behind the forehead. They extend about halfway toward the back of the head and down the side of the head to about the level of your eyebrows. There are two lobes that sit next to each other, the left and the right side. This part of the brain is often called the mother because it governs your actions just as your mother would stop impulsive or antisocial actions.
The frontal lobe is responsible for emotional, social and sexual control, attention, motivation, judgment, spontaneity, problem-solving, and sequencing. It also handles verbal expression, motor integration, voluntary movement, and sequencing. Personality changes can occur with frontal lobe injury. These can be brief or long-lasting. Medications can be prescribed if behavior becomes aggressive or threatening. Injury to one or both frontal lobes is often seen as difficulties in social and behavioral situations.
All therapies and nursing are included in treatments for frontal lobe injury. Treatments include reeducation about reactions to situations which might be practiced before entering the real situation. For instance, in a therapeutic session, the patient may be presented with pictures or enactment of a situation followed by the patient responding.
The individual is then guided to an appropriate response if needed. Other therapies might include practice in ordering activities such as putting socks on before shoes if that is an issue for the individual. Choices can be encouraged when the individual is recovered enough to do so. It is important to follow the instructions of your healthcare professionals when providing care for the individual with a frontal lobe injury. They are in the best position to indicate which techniques should be used and when to advance options.
Your input about how you are feeling and responding to therapy should be considered. Pushing too hard or too fast can increase frustration. Temporal Lobes The temporal lobes are on both sides of the brain. They are located approximately above the ear. On the outside of your body, the temporal lobes are at the temples of your head.
They extend back behind the ear. The temporal lobes control selective attention to what is seen or heard, short term memory, understanding language, music, locating objects, categorizing, face recognition, aggressive behavior, and altered sexual behavior.
Individuals with temporal lobe injury might have issues with memory and understanding. Results of temporal lobe injury can be different if the injury is only on the left or right side of the brain. Treatment for temporal lobe injury focuses on comprehension and communication. Traditionally, a speech and language pathologist might be responsible for treatment however, all members of the healthcare team will incorporate strategies into their plan.
This includes input from the individual with the temporal lobe injury and their family. It is important to relate your thoughts and feelings, so therapy can be tailored to your specific needs. Parietal Lobes The parietal lobes are at the back top of the brain. They are located directly behind the frontal lobes, above the temporal and occipital lobes. The responsibility of the parietal lobes includes coordination, touch, body positioning in space, awareness of body differentiation, academic skills, naming objects, right vs.
Some estimates say that the cerebellum contains about 50 percent of the nerve cells that make up your brain. Others put the number as high as 80 percent. Your cerebellum receives input from other areas of your nervous system , including:.
It then uses this information to regulate and coordinate voluntary movements. Voluntary movements are movements that you can control, such as walking or throwing a baseball. In addition to voluntary movements, the cerebellum is also involved in coordination of the following:.
The cerebellum may also play a role in other cognitive functions. Disruption of the cerebellum or its connections to other parts of the nervous system can happen in a variety of ways. For instance, the cerebellum can sustain damage due to:. When the cerebellum is damaged, movement and balance can be affected. You may have trouble trying to move in a coordinated way. Or you may have difficulty with balance, or experience involuntary muscle contractions.
Damage to the cerebellum can result in conditions such as:. While research is ongoing, cerebellar dysfunction may also play a role in some of the following conditions:. Keeping your cerebellum and the rest of your brain healthy and free of injury is key to your physical and emotional health and overall sense of well-being.
Here are some tips to keep in mind for good brain health:. Your cerebellum, although small in size, is a crucial part of your brain. However, according to ongoing research, it can also be involved in other functions, such as emotions and language. If the cerebellum is damaged, it can result in issues like uncoordinated movement, tremors, or muscle spasms.
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