Neuropsychiatric Aspects of the Cerebellum

Abstract

The neurological functions of the cerebellum regarding the regulation of balance and movement have been known for a long time. In the last decades the cerebellum participation in cognition, emotional processes and behavior has been progressively recognized specially due to Schmahmann’s studies.The authors of the current paper will briefly review the main aspects of the cerebellum’s “classic” physiology. Afterwards, neuro-psychiatric functions and cerebellar alterations in the main psychiatric disorders - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder - will be reviewed in more detail.

Keywords

• Cerebellum
• Cerebellar Cognitive-Affective Syndrome
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Major Depressive Disorder