Cerebellar contributions to verbal working memory: beyond cognitive theory

Abstract

Neuropsychological findings together with recent advances in neuroanatomical and neuroimaging techniques have spurred the investigation of cerebellar contributions to cognition. One cognitive process that has been the focus of much research is working memory, in particular its verbal component. Influenced by Baddeley's cognitive theory of working memory, cerebellar activation during verbal working memory tasks has been predominantly attributed to the cerebellum's involvement in an articulatory rehearsal network. Recent neuroimaging and neuropsychological findings are inconsistent with a simple motor view of the cerebellum's function in verbal working memory. The present article examines these findings and their implications for an articulatory rehearsal proposal of cerebellar function. Moving beyond cognitive theory, we propose two alternative explanations for cerebellar involvement in verbal working memory: Error-driven adjustment and internal timing. These general theories of cerebellar function have been successfully adapted from the motor literature to explain cognitive functions of the cerebellum. We argue that these theories may also provide a useful framework to understand the non-motor contributions of the cerebellum to verbal working memory.

Cortical dysfunction in patients with Huntington's disease during working memory performance

“…However, recent morphometric findings in HD patients suggest that the cerebellum is affected over time [Ruocco et al, 2007], and thus could already be involved in the cognitive clinical manifestations of the disorder in an early stage. Apart from its contribution to motor coordination and control, there is increasing neuropsychological and functional imaging evidence that the cerebellum is involved in human cognition [Ben-Yehudah et al, 2007;Fiez, 1996]. Specifically, an emphasis has been placed on cerebellar contributions to articulatory rehearsal processes subserving verbal WM function [Ben-Yehudah et al, 2007].…”

“…Apart from its contribution to motor coordination and control, there is increasing neuropsychological and functional imaging evidence that the cerebellum is involved in human cognition [Ben-Yehudah et al, 2007;Fiez, 1996]. Specifically, an emphasis has been placed on cerebellar contributions to articulatory rehearsal processes subserving verbal WM function [Ben-Yehudah et al, 2007]. In HD patients, this mechanism might become Results of the between-group ANCOVA, P < 0.001 (familywise error corrected at the voxel level, P < 0.05 corrected for spatial extent).…”

Bilateral recruitment of prefrontal cortex in working memory is associated with task demand but not with age

“…Furthermore, Broca's area (which overlaps with our left ROI in VLPFC) and left SMA are anatomically interconnected with right lobule VI and crus1 of the cerebellum (37,38). The unilateral activation pattern of VLPFC, SMA, and cerebellum could reflect subvocal rehearsal during the maintenance phase of the verbal and object WM tasks (21,39). Moreover, PMv showed stronger activation in the left hemisphere than in the right across all three investigated WM domains and in both age groups, a pattern consistent with the idea that left PMv plays a role in language (40).…”

Assessment of Cognitive Function Before and After Surgery for Posterior Cranial Fossa Lesions Using Computerized and Conventional Tests

“…In addition to the medial temporal lobe, the cerebellum is also involved in memory processing. [2][3][4]7,33,37,40) Delayed recall of verbal and visual information will be frequently impaired after subtentorial strokes. 18) However, the present study showed that retraction of the temporal lobe caused a decline in temporary short-term memory but the lateral suboccipital approach did not.…”

“…21,22,39) Recent clinical, experimental, and neuroimaging studies have indicated that the cerebellum is involved in various neural processes of the higher brain functions such as language, working memory, executive function, and emotion. [2][3][4]7,12,17,18,25,33,34,37,40) Therefore, both neurological status and higher brain function must be maintained after skull base surgery. Cognitive impairment is a common consequence of infratentorial stroke, 18,25) and the neuropsychological outcomes after neurosurgical procedures for unruptured aneurysms have been investigated.…”