Current opinions and areas of consensus on the role of the cerebellum in dystonia

VG Shakkottai, A Batla, K Bhatia, WT Dauer, C Dresel… - The Cerebellum, 2017 - Springer
VG Shakkottai, A Batla, K Bhatia, WT Dauer, C Dresel, M Niethammer, D Eidelberg
The Cerebellum, 2017Springer
A role for the cerebellum in causing ataxia, a disorder characterized by uncoordinated
movement, is widely accepted. Recent work has suggested that alterations in activity,
connectivity, and structure of the cerebellum are also associated with dystonia, a
neurological disorder characterized by abnormal and sustained muscle contractions often
leading to abnormal maintained postures. In this manuscript, the authors discuss their views
on how the cerebellum may play a role in dystonia. The following topics are discussed: The …
Abstract
A role for the cerebellum in causing ataxia, a disorder characterized by uncoordinated movement, is widely accepted. Recent work has suggested that alterations in activity, connectivity, and structure of the cerebellum are also associated with dystonia, a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal and sustained muscle contractions often leading to abnormal maintained postures. In this manuscript, the authors discuss their views on how the cerebellum may play a role in dystonia. The following topics are discussed:
  • The relationships between neuronal/network dysfunctions and motor abnormalities in rodent models of dystonia.
  • Data about brain structure, cerebellar metabolism, cerebellar connections, and noninvasive cerebellar stimulation that support (or not) a role for the cerebellum in human dystonia.
  • Connections between the cerebellum and motor cortical and sub-cortical structures that could support a role for the cerebellum in dystonia.
Overall points of consensus include:
  • Neuronal dysfunction originating in the cerebellum can drive dystonic movements in rodent model systems.
  • Imaging and neurophysiological studies in humans suggest that the cerebellum plays a role in the pathophysiology of dystonia, but do not provide conclusive evidence that the cerebellum is the primary or sole neuroanatomical site of origin.
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