The functional anatomy of the cerebrocerebellar circuit: A review and new concepts

Abstract

The cerebrocerebellar circuit is a feedback circuit that bidirectionally connects the neocortex and the cerebellum. According to the classic view, the cerebrocerebellar circuit is specifically involved in the functional regulation of the motor areas of the neocortex. In recent years, studies carried out in experimental animals by morphological and physiological methods, and in humans by magnetic resonance imaging, have indicated that the cerebrocerebellar circuit is also involved in the functional regulation of the nonmotor areas of the neocortex, including the prefrontal, associative, sensory and limbic areas. Moreover, a second type of cerebrocerebellar circuit, bidirectionally connecting the hypothalamus and the cerebellum, has been detected, being specifically involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic functions. This review analyzes the morphological features of the centers and pathways of the cerebrocerebellar circuits, paying particular attention to their organization in different channels, which separately connect the cerebellum with the motor areas and nonmotor areas of the neocortex, and with the hypothalamus. Actually, a considerable amount of new data have led, and are leading, to profound changes on the views on the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the cerebrocerebellar circuits, so much they may be now considered to be essential for the functional regulation of many neocortex areas, perhaps all, as well as of the hypothalamus and of the limbic system. Accordingly, clinical studies have pointed out an involvement of the cerebrocerebellar circuits in the pathophysiology of an increasing number of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Functional MRI activation patterns of cerebellum in patients with epilepsy and brain tumors

“…The role of cerebellum in non‐motor functions is also explained by cerebrocerebellar channels that connect motor, association and parahippocampal cortex in the supratentorial brain with cerebellum, in particular the cortico‐ponto‐cerebellar and cerebello‐thalamo‐cortical loops. Moreover a bidirectional pathway connecting cerebellum and hypothalamus has been detected specifically involved in hypothalamic function (Benagiano et al ).Imaging studies have shown morphologic patterns in cerebellum in diseases like autism, schizophrenia and mood disorders (Olivito et al ; Ismail et al ; Igelström et al ; Keehn et al ; D'Mello and Stoodley ; Jiang et al ; Sumner et al ; Cierpka et al ).…”

Dorsal prefrontal and premotor cortex of the ferret as defined by distinctive patterns of thalamo-cortical projections

“…Otherwise, it has long been established that the thalamic motor nuclei are also part of basal ganglia circuits, such as the most prominent 'dorsolateral prefrontal loop' (Kandel et al 2000;Purves 2004). These circuits are believed to play a key role in the functional regulation of 'non-motor' areas of the neocortex, including the prefrontal, associative, sensory, and limbic areas (Benagiano et al 2018).…”

Vertical bundles of the white matter fibers in the pons revisited: preliminary study utilizing the Klingler technique

“…Localization of SLF part in upper pons corresponds to the localization of fascicle fibers in medial1/5 width of base of the pons (four specimens) or the middle part of the cerebral peduncle. This suggests that it originates in the motor and premotor cortex, a suggestion strengthened by the localization of the SLF in the medial and intermediate group of pontine fibers as described by Benagiano et al, thus making it a part of the cerebrocerebellar circuit (Benagiano et al 2018). It may also resemble the aberrant pyramidal tract described by Kwon et al (2011).…”