The shifting role of the cerebellum in executive, emotional and social processing across the lifespan

Abstract

The cerebellum’s anatomical and functional organization and network interactions between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures are dynamic across the lifespan. Executive, emotional and social (EES) functions have likewise evolved during human development from contributing to primitive behaviors during infancy and childhood to being able to modulate complex actions in adults. In this review, we address how the importance of the cerebellum in the processing of EES functions might change across development. This evolution is driven by the macroscopic and microscopic modifications of the cerebellum that are occurring during development including its increasing connectivity with distant supra-tentorial cortical and sub-cortical regions. As a result of anatomical and functional changes, neuroimaging and clinical data indicate that the importance of the role of the cerebellum in human EES-related networks shifts from being crucial in newborns and young children to being only supportive later in life. In early life, given the immaturity of cortically mediated EES functions, EES functions and motor control and perception are more closely interrelated. At that time, the cerebellum due to its important role in motor control and sequencing makes EES functions more reliant on these computational properties that compute spatial distance, motor intent, and assist in the execution of sequences of behavior related to their developing EES expression. As the cortical brain matures, EES functions and decisions become less dependent upon these aspects of motor behavior and more dependent upon high-order cognitive and social conceptual processes. At that time, the cerebellum assumes a supportive role in these EES-related behaviors by computing their motor and sequential features. We suspect that this evolving role of the cerebellum has complicated the interpretation of its contribution to EES computational demands.

Involvement of the cerebellum in the regulation of executive functions in children—Preliminary analysis based on a neuropsychological study of children after cerebellar tumour surgery

“…However, Beuriat et al (2022) stated that the importance of the role of the cerebellum in executive functions is particularly crucial in newborns and young children when the EF, motor control and perception are more closely interrelated. The cerebellum due to its important role in motor control and sequencing makes executive functions more reliant on these computational properties that compute spatial distance, motor intent, and assist in the execution of sequences of behaviour.…”

“…There is far less research in children concerning the role of the cerebellar lesions in executive functioning (Steinlin et al, 2003;Koustenis et al, 2016;Albazron et al, 2019). As shown by the Beuriat and colleagues (Beuriat et al, 2022), the role of the cerebellum in the regulation of executive, emotional and social factors is changing across lifespan. As a result of anatomical and functional changes, neuroimaging and clinical data indicate that the importance of the role of the cerebellum in human executive functions-related networks shifts from being crucial in newborns and young children to being only supportive in adult life.…”

Neuropsychological monitoring of cognitive function and ICF–based mental components in patients with malignant brain tumours

“…Tumors in the occipital lobe can cause blindness, blurred vision, and hallucinations (Hense et al, 2021). Cerebellar tumors affect the ability to coordinate voluntary movements such as balance and blinking whereas brain stem tumors are responsible for disorders of many functions, including basic ones, such as paresis of the limbs, speaking, swallowing, breathing or seeing (Reyes-Botero et al, 2012;Beuriat et al, 2022).…”

Preoperative 11C-Methionine PET-MRI in Pediatric Infratentorial Tumors

“…Although symptomatic posterior fossa tumors are typically resected, it has been reported that posterior fossa surgery may have a critical impact on the sensorimotor and cognitive outcomes of children. 14,15 The current management of brain tumors in children is evolving due to an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms, even though biomarkers are lacking. The complementary information provided by PET and MRI, for example, SUV and ADC, could improve tumor characterization and, indirectly, the use of molecular targeted therapies.…”

“…Although symptomatic posterior fossa tumors are typically resected, it has been reported that posterior fossa surgery may have a critical impact on the sensorimotor and cognitive outcomes of children 14,15 . The current management of brain tumors in children is evolving due to an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms, even though biomarkers are lacking.…”