The cerebellum (from Latin cerebellum, small brain) is a part of the brain that plays an essential role in motor control.

Position. Within the cranium, the cerebellum is located below the cerebral hemispheres and behind the occipital trunk.

Structure. The cerebellum is made up of:

• of the cerebellar cortex, a gray envelope surrounding the cerebellum and containing Purkinje cells.
• of a white internal substance, containing myelinated nerve fibers, both afferent, coming in particular from the spinal cord, brainstem or brain, and efferent, coming from Purkinje cells.
• of three pairs of nuclei.

Motor center. The cerebellum plays an essential role in motor control, including maintaining balance and posture, controlling muscle tone, and coordinating voluntary motor skills. (1) It communicates with the entire nervous system, collecting and processing information from different parts of the brain, as well as the spinal cord.

Cerebellar syndrome corresponds to all the symptoms linked to damage to the cerebellum or the cerebellar pathways. Many pathologies can be at the origin of these symptoms, the main ones of which are (2):

• ataxia, which corresponds to an impairment of motor coordination and balance. Different forms of ataxia exist such as static ataxia, which manifests as a standing disorder, locomotor ataxia, which corresponds to a walking disorder, or kinetic ataxia, which results in a disorder voluntary actions. (3)
• hypotonia, which results in decreased muscle tone.
• dysarthria, which is a dysfunction of the muscles controlling voice and speech.
• Nystagmus, which manifests as an involuntary oscillation of the eyeball.
• Stroke. Cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, is manifested by obstruction, such as the formation of blood clots or the rupture of a cerebral blood vessel.4 This condition can affect the functions of the cerebellum.
• Head trauma. It corresponds to a shock to the skull which can cause brain damage. (5)
• Tumors of the cerebellum. The cerebellum can be the site of the development of benign or malignant tumors.
• Multiple sclerosis. This pathology is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The immune system attacks the myelin, the sheath surrounding nerve fibers, causing inflammatory reactions. (7)
• Parkinson disease. It corresponds to a neurodegenerative disease, the symptoms of which are in particular a tremor at rest, or a slowing down and reduction in the range of movements. (6)

Thrombolysis. This test consists of breaking up the thrombi, or blood clots, using drugs. This treatment is used during stroke. (4)

Drug treatments. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, different treatments may be prescribed such as anti-inflammatory drugs or different drugs to reduce brain disorders.

Surgical treatment. Depending on the type of pathology, surgery may be performed.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy. Depending on the stage of the tumor, these treatments may be prescribed.

Physical examination. First, a clinical examination is performed in order to observe and assess the symptoms perceived by the patient.

Medical imaging examination. In order to assess damage to the cerebellum, a cerebral and spinal CT scan or a cerebral MRI can in particular be performed.

Biopsy. This examination consists of a sample of cells.

Lumbar puncture. This exam allows the cerebrospinal fluid to be analyzed. 

Thomas Willis is an English doctor considered one of the pioneers of neurology. He was one of the first to present a concrete description of the brain, notably through his treatise cerebral anatome. (8)