Neuropsychologische problemen na focale laesies in het cerebellum: de kleine hersenen worden groot

Abstract

Neuropsychological problems after focal lesions in the cerebellum: the little brain grows big Initially researchers believed that the cerebellum was only involved in motor and speech functions. During the last few years however, increasing knowledge was gained regarding the neuropsychological functions of the cerebellum. These functions are not exclusively considered as being regulated by cortical brain structures, but rather as functions regulated by a closed cerebro-cerebellar circuit. Studies focused on evaluating neuropsychological functioning in patients with focal lesions in the cerebellum have discovered that cognitive problems with regard to working memory, anterograde memory, visuospatial functions, language and executive functions are frequently documented. Besides cognitive deficits, these patients can also show emotional and/or behavioral changes. Several authors assume that the research findings concerning memory, visuospatial functions and more particularly language can be explained by the concept of crossed cerebellar-cerebral diaschisis.