The language of the cerebellum. Issue 12 (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Dun, Kim; Manto, Mario; Mariën, Peter
• Is Part Of: Aphasiology. Volume 30:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 1378
• Page End: 1398
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: Cerebellum -- language -- diaschisis -- Schmahmann's syndrome -- timing hypothesis -- sequencing hypothesis; Aphasia -- Periodicals; Aphasia; 616.8552
• DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2015.1132297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-7038

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : During the past three decades neuroanatomical, neuroimaging, and clinical studies have substantially altered the view on the role of the cerebellum as a sole coordinator of sensorimotor function. Currently, the cerebellum is believed to be also crucially involved in cognitive, affective, and behavioural functioning. Aims : This paper aims to summarise a number of critical insights from different research areas (anatomy, functional imaging, clinical practice) that provide evidence for a role of the cerebellum in motor speech and nonmotor language processing. Main contribution : By means of identifying a dense network of crossed reciprocal connections between the cerebellum and the supratentorial association areas, neuroanatomical studies provided a robust basis for the development of new insights in the modulatory role of the cerebellum in neurocognition, including nonmotor language processing. A topological distinction was established between the "motor" cerebellum, projecting to the cortical motor areas, and the "cognitive/affective" cerebellum, connected with the cortical and limbic association areas. Neuroimaging studies demonstrated cerebellar involvement in several different language tasks, even after controlling for motor aspects. In addition, several clinical studies identified a variety of nonmotor linguistic deficits after cerebellar damage, implying a prominent role for the cerebellum in these linguistic processes. Functional neuroimaging confirmed the functional impact of cerebellar lesions on remote, structurally intact cortical regions via crossed cerebello-cerebral diaschisis. Conclusion : Evidence from neuroanatomical, neuroimaging, and clinical studies suggests a strongly lateralised involvement of the cerebellum in a broad spectrum of nonmotor language functions through crossed cerebello-cerebral connectivity. It is argued that the cerebellum is involved in language in a similar manner as it is involved in motor functions: through monitoring/coordinating cortical functions.