The cerebellum is the region of the human brain that resides below and to the rear of the upper most area known as the cerebrum. The cerebellum is located at the back of the head and behind the brainstem at the bottom part of the brain.
The cerebellum plays a critical role in every aspect of movement, balance, coordination, posture, fine motor skills and visual processes. The cerebellum also plays a role in language and speech.
The cerebellum receives information from the sensory areas as well as through the spinal column to facilitate smooth muscle contractions of voluntary movements.
The cerebellum and the brainstem assist the cerebrum, (the area that controls higher thinking and learning) to more fully complete physical and mental processing.
The brainstem manages the autonomic nervous system, involuntary processes such as sleeping, breathing, swallowing, digestion and other reflex responses.
Cerebellum Function
The cerebellum is a complex region of the brain that has several responsibilities related to movement and coordination including:
Movement coordination: The cerebellum is involved in the coordination of many muscle groups throughout the body to complete tasks in a flowing and smooth nature. From walking, running and all leg, feet, hand and arms movements.
Balance: The cerebellum controls and maintains balance throughout the body by detecting signals that adjust for proper body alignment and visual control.
Motor learning: This type of learning comes through repetition or practice. The cerebellum is the region that provides the fine motor processes necessary for learning a new skill, like playing an instrument, playing a sport or learning to write or paint.
Visual Processing: The cerebellum controls visual processing by coordinating eye movements.
Cerebellum Disorders
The most common kinds of disturbances of the cerebellum have to do with muscle or movement control.
Some of the most typical symptoms include:
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walking or mobility difficulties
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eye movement problems
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headaches
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lack of muscle control
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loss of coordination
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speech difficulties
Cerebellum disorders include:
Ataxia is a disorder of the cerebellum that is a loss of muscle control and coordination difficulties that can arise from a brain tumor or virus.
Ataxia can also be a result of:
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genetics
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stroke
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head injury
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multiple sclerosis
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cerebral palsy
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chicken pox or viral infections
Ataxia sometimes can resolve itself or be reversible when the underlying cause is treated.
Loss of coordination is typically the first sign of ataxia with speech problems, swallowing difficulty, burred vision, mood shifts and tiredness following.
Types of Ataxia
Ataxia disorders are either sporadic or genetic in nature. Each displaying different array of symptoms.
Sporadic ataxia is a degenerative condition that typically progresses slowly and can affect different sectors of muscle and motor systems that leads to atrophy.
Most of these type of disorders will worsen over time and people affected will need support from a cane or walker to a variety of computer devices that help with mobility and speech.
Sporadic ataxia can also present problems with:
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bladder control
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light-headedness and fainting
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heart rate irregularities
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erectile disfunction
Genetic ataxia is a rare form of this degenerative condition that usually develops from childhood. The most common type is Friedreich’s ataxia, which only affects 1 in 40,000 people.
Other types of ataxia are caused by viruses, toxins, stroke and tumors.
Viral ataxia
This type of ataxia occurs in children and is called acute cerebellar ataxia. This type usually resolves itself in several months after the infection is healed. Ataxia can be a rare complication from getting the chicken pox virus.
Other possible viruses associated with acute cerebellar ataxia are:
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Lyme disease
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Epstein-Barr
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HIV
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Coxsackie virus
Toxins
Ataxia can be caused by toxins in the cerebellum when alcohol, medications or poisons (heavy metals, mercury, lead and solvents) enter their sensitive nerve network. The road to recovery depends on the extent of damage done.
Stroke
A stroke is a blood clot or bleed in the brain. They typically occur in the cerebrum, but when they happen in the cerebellum, strokes can result in:
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headache
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dizziness
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vomiting
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nausea
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ataxia
The treatment for a stroke generally involves, physical therapy and neurofeedback.
Tumor
Tumors in the cerebellum can either grow there or spread from another area of the body. These abnormal cells can be benign and less harmful or malignant, which can lead to cancer.
Tumor symptoms in the cerebellum can range from:
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ataxia
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coordination issues
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headaches
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vomiting without nausea
Cerebellum Health
The best advice to a healthy cerebellum is developing good healthy habits for good overall brain health. Reducing the risks and getting regular check ups.
Common sense advice
Reduce the risk of ataxia by stroke, exposure to poisons and traumatic brain injury (TBI) by:
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Exercise regularly 2.5 – 3 hours per week to increase your heart rate and promote healthy blood and capillary tissues reduces the risk of stroke.
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Quit smoking to reduce your blood pressure which leads to thickening the blood and increasing the risk of stroke.
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Alcohol consumption can have a detrimental affect on the cerebellum. The damage done over time can have serious consequences. Also, alcohol raises blood pressure that leads to stroke.
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Head protection by the use of wearing seat belts, helmets and sensible safely at home (follow building codes for hand railings and stairs) can reduce the risk of brain injury from falls.
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Avoid lead, poisons and heavy metals at home by contacting The Department of Building and Safety or home inspector to make sure your walls, ceilings, pipes and paint are free from lead and other hazardous materials.
The cerebellum is an important area of the brain to keep healthy throughout our lives. It will ensure we stay coordinated and able to move and operate our hands, legs, fingers and limbs as we age. So that we can remain fully functioning in our golden years.
-A Balanced Brain is a Better Brain-