Cerebellar Control of Fine Motor Function

The cerebellum is a brain region that is fundamental in controlling movement. However, because �dysfunction anywhere within the motor system, from the cortex to the muscle, will result in abnormal movement, examining cerebellar motor control requires a combination of tests which evaluate different aspects of this structure. First we describe tests of dynamic postural reflexes for the vestibulo-cerebellum – righting reflex and vestibular drop. These are followed by tests of quadruped locomotion – from simple foot print �analysis, through crossing a narrow bridge, to complex coordination for manoeuvring along a wire. More detailed analysis of the cortico-nuclear circuit is made using gait synchronisation on the rotarod and finally motor learning.