The cerebellum: the ‘little’ brain and its big role

Abstract

Reports from recent years provide compelling evidence about the structure and the existence of functional topography in the cerebellum. However, most of them focused on the motor functions of the cerebellum. Recent studies suggest the involvement of the posterior lobe of the cerebellum in the context of neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders. The pathophysiology of these diseases is not sufficiently understood, and recent studies indicate that it could also affect additional subregions of the cerebellum. Anatomical and clinical studies, combined with neuroimaging, provide new ways of thinking about the organisation and functioning of the cerebellum. This review summarises knowledge about the topography and functions of the cerebellum, and focuses on its anatomical and functional contributions to the development of neurological diseases.