Affiliations: Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen,
Essen, Germany | Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of
Neuropsychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dagmar Timmann, MD, Department of
Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45138 Essen,
Germany. Tel.: +49 201 723 3816; Fax: +49 201 723 5901; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Many human lesion und functional brain imaging studies suggest
involvement of the cerebellum in cognitive functions. However, negative and
inconsistent findings are rarely discussed. It is still an open question as to
which areas of cognition the cerebellum contributes, as well as how, and to
what extent. Frequently cited earlier findings in one area of cognition have
been challenged in more recent studies, that is the cerebellum may not be
directly involved in attention. Furthermore, disorders in patients with
acquired cerebellar disease are frequently mild and less severe compared to
lesions of the corresponding areas of the cerebral cortex. Patients with
cerebellar disease often perform within the normal range of neuropsychological
test norms. This pattern is illustrated based on general intelligence and
verbal working memory, which have been assessed by a large number of authors
using comparable tests. Findings, however, appear to be more pronounced in
individual cases with acute onset cerebellar disorders and in children, in
particular with congenital disease. The review suggests that the
inconsistencies in cognitive impairments may offer clues as to the nature of
cerebellar cognitive involvement.
Keywords: IQ, intelligence, attention, verbal working memory, cognitive development
