Disentangling acute motor deficits and adaptive responses evoked by the loss of cerebellar output.

Abstract

Our study examined the impact of cerebellar dysfunction on movement control by reversibly blocking the cerebellar output in monkeys. During a cerebellar block, reaching movements initially slowed due to an acute deficit in generating muscle torque. Beyond this primary deficit, there appeared to be a secondary, strategic slowing down of movements aimed at mitigating inter-joint interactions associated with rapid, ballistic movements. Finally, during the cerebellar block we observed movement variability increased independently of the reduced velocity, likely reflecting errors in movement planning. These findings highlight the role of the cerebellar in movement control and delineate the processes following cerebellar dysfunction that culminate in a broad range of motor impairments.