Motor rehabilitation of cerebellar disorders

Abstract

Cerebellar dysfunction can induce a variety of motor impairments including limb movement, speech, oculomotor control, balance and walking (Diener and Dichgans, Clinical disorders of posture and gait, Arnold, London; 1996). Causes for cerebellar impairments can be various, including stroke, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and degenerative disease. Motor rehabilitation is challenging for this patient population, since the cerebellum is known to play an important role in motor learning (Bastian, Curr Opin Neurobiol 21:596-601; 2011; Ilg, Cerebellum 13:248-268; 2014). However, recent results deliver evidence that patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases can benefi t from motor training.