Keywords
Cerebellum - Cerebellar Ataxia - Vestibular System - Cognitive Dysfunction - Mood
dMsorders - Internal Models
HISTORIC MILESTONES
In his landmark 1969 article published in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology, Garcin defined ataxia as “a disturbance of coordination which, quite independently
of any motor weakness, alters the direction and extent of voluntary movement and impairs
the sustained voluntary or reflex muscle contractions necessary for maintaining posture
and equilibrium”.[1]
In fact, the term “ataxia” has been used since the mid-nineteenth century and was
initially coined mainly to describe syphilis infection. Indeed, in the nineteenth
century, tabetic ataxia, resulting from syphilis-related dorsal column degeneration,
received greater attention than cerebellar degeneration itself. Based on the observations
of patients with that condition, Duchenne introduced the concept of locomotor ataxia
and suggested a disruption in coordination between antagonistic muscles.[2]
Furthermore, the description of olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) by Dejerine and
André-Thomas in 1900 added momentum to clinical research into cerebellar syndromes.[1] In a series of studies between 1899 and 1913, Babinski provided meticulous description
of the symptomatology of cerebellar ataxia, including hypermetria (the most common
form of dysmetria) and kinetic tremor.[3]
[4] These were followed by the comprehensive clinical work of André-Thomas, who provided
remarkable description of cerebellar gait disturbances.[5] Holmes was the first to highlight the cerebellocerebellar connections and introduced
the concept of disturbances in the speed of movement initiation.[6] By the 1920s, motor syndrome for cerebellar ataxia had been well defined.
Since the 1990s, advancements in neuroanatomy and physiology have significantly expanded
our understanding of cerebellar syndromes. The reciprocal and parallel neural connections
between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex, coupled with clinical findings, provided
compelling evidence of a link between the cerebellum and cognitive functions[7] ([Figure 1]). Schmahmann and Sherman[8] further elucidated the clinical importance of this connection by describing a constellation
of cognitive impairments associated with cerebellar disorders, which they termed cerebellar
cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS) or Schmahmann syndrome (SS). Now, CCAS/SS extends
to neuropsychiatric symptoms, in the frontiers of neurology and psychiatry.[9]
[10]
Abbreviations: PC, Purkinje cell; DN, dentate nucleus; cf, climbing fibers; GC, granule
cells; pf, parallel fibers; STN, subthalamic nucleus; VTA, ventral tegmental area.
Source: Cabaraux et al.,[12] with permission.
Figure 1 (A) Cerebellar sensorimotor and cognitive topography on a flattened representation of
the 10 lobules. (B). A corticonuclear projection from the PC to the DN. The DN is involved in dentato-reticular
reverberating loops, in the dentato-rubro-olivary triangle (Guillain-Mollaret) and
in dentato-thalamo-cortical projections. The cf from the inferior olive project to
both the DN and PC via cf. The mossy fibers of the spino-cerebellar tracts target
the DN and the GC at the origin of the pf. The afferents to the DN from the locus
coeruleus and the raphe nuclei are not illustrated. Both the spinocerebellar tracts
and the trigeminocerebellar tracts (not illustrated) relay information from the limbs
and head/face, respectively. (C) Multiple loops running in parallel from the cerebellum to the cerebral cortex and
striatum. The striatum projects to the STN, which targets pontine nuclei (disynaptic
projection from the STN to the cerebellar cortex). The cerebellum receives not only
corticopontine afferents from motor/nonmotor areas, but also information from the
superior colliculus, the mammillary bodies and projects toward the VTA, locus coeruleus,
and hypothalamus, which are connected with the limbic/paralimbic regions linked to
emotional processing (cerebro-cerebellar-limbic loops, not illustrated). The so-called
limbic cerebellum engages mostly midline areas of the cerebellum.
Based on this background and recent clinical observations, cerebellar syndromes are
now classified into three distinct types:[11] cerebellar motor syndrome (CMS); vestibulocerebellar syndrome (VCS); and CCAS/SS.
Remarkably, neural circuits within the cerebellar cortex exhibit a uniform structure
regardless of their location, which is a unique feature in the brain ([Figures 2]
[3]).[12]
[13] The functional units comprising the cerebellar cortex and nuclei are believed to
perform identical functions irrespective of the specific area they are coupled to,
meaning the particular circuit network they are embedded in,[12] with features of redundancy ([Figures 2]
[3]).
Abbreviations: PF, parallel fiber; CF, climbing fiber; GC, granule cell; Go, Golgi
cells; Bc, basket cell; IO, inferior olive. Source: Adapted from Mitoma et al.,[13] with permission.
Figure 2 A scheme of microzones. A functional congruence between the two major input systems
(mossy and climbing fibers) is observed anatomically, with a contribution of mossy
fibers into multizonal microcomplexes integrated in cerebellar modules subserving
the operational aspects of the cerebellar machinery.
Abbreviations: MF, mossy fiber; CF, climbing fiber; GC, granule cell; PF, parallel
fiber; PCs, Purkinje cells; GABAergic IN, stellate and basket cells;cells represented
by open circles are excitatory neurons, and their synapses, marked with a +, are excitatory.
Cells represented by closed circles are inhibitory neurons, and their synapses, marked
with a –, are inhibitory.
Figure 3 A scheme of the fundamental cerebellar neural circuit.
In the 1990s, Schmahmann proposed the concept of “dysmetria of thought and emotion”.[14] The hypothesis postulated that, based on the uniform neural circuitry of the cerebello-cortico-cerebellar
nuclear complex, a common operational principle governs both the motor and cognitive-emotional
domains (universal cerebellar transform). Consequently, similar pathologies arise
in disorders that affect either domain.[14] In essence, the cerebellum regulates the speed, consistency, competence, and appropriateness
of cognitive-emotional processes, akin to its control over the speed, rhythm, power,
and accuracy of motor functions.[15]
It is now widely accepted that cerebellar impairments lead to “impaired outcome prediction”
not only in the motor domain but also in the cognitive-emotional and vestibular ones.[12] This is a major feature of cerebellar circuitry. Moreover, there is a consensus
that the impairment in predictive function stems from a failure of the internal forward
model, that is, a failure of the neural mechanism intrinsic to the cerebellum that
predicts future control outcomes from current conditions and control signals.[12] The three types of cerebellar syndromes will be described below in light of clinical
observations and in the context of internal models.
CEREBELLAR MOTOR SYNDROME (CMS)
CEREBELLAR MOTOR SYNDROME (CMS)
The five basic elements of CMS
In the Handbook of Clinical Neurology, Garcin categorized the various clinical features of cerebellar disorders described
by Babinski, André-Thomas, Holmes, and others into five fundamental symptoms.[1] This implies that most cases of cerebellar movement disorders do not manifest a
single feature but exhibit diverse characteristics depending on the affected areas
and pathological process.
Hypermetria (disturbances in amplitude or metrics of movements)
This is a well-known phenomenon observed in finger-nose, finger-to-finger/finger-chase,
and heel-shin tests. While it is currently termed dysmetria (gathering both hypermetria
and hypometria), it was originally known as hypermetria as it represented an overshooting
of the target.
Dysmetria is often accompanied by oscillations at the end of movement and is more
pronounced at higher speeds or when the inertia of the limb is increased.[16] Defined as an abnormality in the amplitude of movement, it focuses on the failure
to reach the target with accuracy. Although a similar phenomenon can be observed in
proprioceptive ataxia (interruption of sensory feedback signals due to a peripheral
nerve disease or spinal cord lesion), cerebellar ataxia is often characterized by
the absence of exacerbation with closed eyes and shows a normal movement direction
at the onset of movement.
Kinetic and static tremor (disturbances in continuity of contraction)
Observed in finger-nose and finger-to-finger tests, this tremor is characterized by
discontinuous and intermittent movements rather than smooth and continuous ones. The
amplitude of the intermittent ones increases as the patient tries to accurately bring
the index finger to the target or as the movement progresses from the starting point
to the endpoint. Although termed kinetic tremor, it differs from the regular rest
tremor seen in Parkinson's disease due to irregularity and lower frequency. Furthermore,
discontinuous and intermittent movements can be observed even during a static state
when trying to maintain a posture of the upper limb. Unlike cerebellar dysmetria,
kinetic tremor is often reduced by added inertia. Rehabilitation centers usually add
mass to the limbs to reduce tremors.
Asynergia (disturbances in combining elementary movements)
This is defined as an inability to simultaneously integrate multiple movements that
constitute a single action. Consequently, each elemental movement appears decomposed.
For example, in cerebellar disorders, the upper body may not catch up with the forward
movement of the lower limbs during walking. Another example is the failure of lower
limb and trunk muscles to cooperate when bending backward simultaneously when performing
a backward bending movement in a standing position. This feature is not observed in
relatively simple movements, such as finger-nose, heel-shin, and pronation-supination
tests, which highlights the need for examination of more complex daily activities.
Adiadochokinesis (disturbances in execution of alternating movements)
Adiadochokinesis refers to being unable to perform rapidly continuous alternating
movements. To test the presence of adiadochokinesis, the patient is asked to pronate
and supinate the forearm repeatedly and as fast as possible. In cerebellar disorders,
the movements are discontinuous, and each individual movement is prominent.
Dyschronometria (disturbances in speed of initiation and arrest of movements)
Dyschronometria refers to abnormality in the initiation of movement. For example,
when asked to grasp a bar with both hands simultaneously, patients with unilateral
cerebellar damage exhibit a delay in the initiation of movement on the affected side.
Although not performed routinely in neurological examination, dyschronometria reflects
a decrease in facilitation from the cerebellum to the cerebrum and is considered important
in classical neurology.
Gait disturbances associated with cerebellar damage are characterized by significant
unsteadiness and step irregularity.[17] This feature was described clearly in the 1925 paper of André-Thomas,[5] who stated that the upper body sways significantly forward and backward or side
to side. While attempting to maintain balance by widening the gait, the gait becomes
zig-zag in nature, with narrow and irregular steps and sudden movements. In this regard,
Garcin concluded that these characteristic features are the result of hypermetria
and asynergia.[1]
In addition to the five fundamental elements defined by Garcin, hypotonia represents
another significant symptom of CMS. Muscle tone, in this context, is defined as the
resistance encountered during passive stretching of a limb in its relaxed state.[18] Hypotonia can manifest as limb inertia.[1] Patients with cerebellar disorders exhibit a reduced resistance to passive movements
and experience excessive amplitudes in such movements.[18]
Historically, Luciani characterized the triad of atonia (a reduction in limb resistance
to passive manipulation), asthenia (weakness or paresis of movement), and astasia
(involuntary oscillations occurring during movement), which occur ipsilaterally to
cerebellar lesions in dogs and primates.[19] Holmes later elaborated on the concept of hypotonia, attributing its origin to Luciani's
findings.[20] While Holmes studied cerebellar damage arising from gunshot wounds in particular,
he noted that hypotonia did not manifest universally. Furthermore, he acknowledged
that hypotonia is not a detectable symptom in every type of cerebellar disorder.[18] It tends to be more severe in children with extensive cerebellar lesions.
Pathophysiologies that unify and explain Garcin's five basic elements: disorders of
prediction
Given the diversity of the clinical features of cerebellar ataxia, numerous physiological
studies have been conducted to elucidate the underlying pathophysiologies. To analyze
the pathophysiology of hypermetria, Hore et al.[21] designed a task that mimicked the finger-nose test, which involved rapid flexion
of the elbow joint. He analyzed the associated muscle activity patterns, focusing
on agonist-antagonist patterns in the so-called triphasic EMG pattern. In healthy
individuals, the biceps muscle is activated first, followed by a decrease in activity
and activation of its antagonist, the triceps muscle.
This is because muscle contraction continues slowly even after the cessation of biceps
activity and, therefore, the triceps, as an antagonist, contracts to brake the elbow
flexion. Importantly, activation of the triceps begins before elbow flexion stretches
the triceps. Thus, it is activated in anticipation of the cessation of agonist activity,
rather than being a stretch reflex. In patients with cerebellar ataxia, the following
abnormalities were observed:
-
decreased rate of rise in agonist activity;
-
delayed cessation of agonist activity;
-
delayed onset of antagonist activity; and
-
in the second half of the test, reciprocal alternating activity between the agonist
and antagonist muscles.
In other words, dyschronometria and kinetic/static tremor represent delays in the
onset of agonist activity. The most important finding is loss of the antagonist's
predictive activity (triceps), leading to excessive flexion of the elbow joint due
to the overaction of the agonist (biceps), resulting in hypermetria.
Hore's analysis was the first to suggest a link between hypermetria and impaired predictive
control. This impairment was confirmed when an inertial mass was affixed to the limb,
worsening hypermetria.[16] Cerebellar patients are unable to predict how to scale the intensity of muscle discharges.
The neural mechanisms of the internal model were investigated recently by recording
cerebellar Purkinje cell activity in monkeys while they performed tracking tasks.
Poppa et al.[22] demonstrated this was both predictive and feedback-based, suggesting the presence
of the internal forward model in the cerebellum. Furthermore, Tanaka et al.[23] proposed that this internal forward model is implemented in the cerebellar neural
circuit through two stages: predictive and filtering, using the Kalman filter calculations.
Thus, there is growing evidence that the fundamental pathology of cerebellar ataxia
is a “state of impaired prediction of movement outcome”.[23]
The multifaceted characteristics described by Garcin[1] can all be deduced from this principle. To perform coordinated multijoint movements,
it is necessary to predict the results from one joint and anticipate the appropriate
timing/intensities of activities of several other involved muscles.[12] Therefore, the “state of impaired prediction of movement outcomes” can be associated
with impairments in the coordinated complex (asynergia) and continuous repetitive
(adiadochokinesis) movements.
Furthermore, the “state of impaired prediction of movement outcomes” requires a control
through a delayed feedback mechanism. In this case, in the finger-nose test, the index
finger deviates from the target (hypermetria). Correction occurs only after passing
the target, resulting in a series of delayed corrections that overshoot and return,
leading to large oscillations at the end (kinetic tremor).[12] Motor dysmetria seems to be closely linked to impaired predictions.
VESTIBULOCEREBELLAR SYNDROME (VCS)
VESTIBULOCEREBELLAR SYNDROME (VCS)
Within the cerebellum, three primary regions govern ocular movements and positioning:
the flocculus and paraflocculus, the nodulus and uvula, and the dorsal vermis (lobules
XI–XII), as shown in [Figure 1]. The syndrome primarily manifests as abnormalities in ocular movements, including
saccades and smooth pursuits, with stability arising from vestibulo-ocular reflex
(VOR), and nystagmus.[24]
Saccades are rapid eye movements that swiftly reposition the retinal image of an object
onto the central fovea, which is crucial for maintaining high visual acuity in dynamic
environments. The dorsal vermis and the fastigial nucleus exert primary control over
saccades. Purkinje cells within the dorsal vermis facilitate the ipsilateral saccades
while simultaneously inhibiting the contralateral ones. Consequently, lesions within
the dorsal vermis result in hypometric ipsilateral and hypermetric contralateral saccades.[24] This clinical presentation can be attributed to the inhibitory influence of Purkinje
cells upon neurons within the fastigial oculomotor region, which in turn project their
axons contralaterally to the fastigial oculomotor region and, subsequently, to brainstem
regions, including excitatory burst neurons.[25]
Smooth pursuit movements are defined as slow, sustained eye movements that track moving
objects within the visual field. Lesions within the flocculus/paraflocculus, which
projects to the vestibular nuclei, nucleus prepositus hypoglossi, and interstitial
nucleus of Cajal, impair this smooth pursuit tracking, particularly during sustained
visual tracking.[24]
The VOR is responsible for stabilizing gaze during head rotations. Lesions within
the nodulus/uvula and flocculus/paraflocculus disrupt its coordination. The nodulus/uvula
enhances the inherently low-frequency performance of the VOR, functioning as an integrator.[24] Conversely, the flocculus/paraflocculus regulates its amplitude and direction.[24] Given the inherent mechanical limitations of the labyrinth in transducing sustained
motion, the integration of its signals with the cerebellum's within the vestibular
nuclei significantly improves the accuracy of self-motion estimation.[24]
Nystagmus can arise following lesions within the nodulus/uvula (downbeat, periodic
alternating) or the flocculus/paraflocculus (gaze-evoked, downbeat, rebound).[11]
A unified framework for understanding the aforementioned abnormal syndromes, particularly
impaired saccades, pursuit, and VOR, can also be found within the cerebellar internal
model theory. It hypothesizes that the cerebellum possesses an inherent internal model
that can predictively calculate the current and desired positions of the eyeballs.[26]
CEREBELLAR COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE SYNDROME/SCHMAHMANN SYNDROME (CCAS/SS)
CEREBELLAR COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE SYNDROME/SCHMAHMANN SYNDROME (CCAS/SS)
This syndrome is observed in cases with lesions in the cerebellar posterior lobe and
vermis ([Figure 1]). Patients exhibit deficits in executive functions, spatial cognition, linguistic
processing, and emotional regulation.[8]
Executive dysfunction encompasses impairments in planning, mental flexibility, abstract
reasoning, working memory, and verbal fluency. Patients may also present with clinical
features such as telegraphic speech, perseverative ideation, and mutism.[27] Impaired spatial cognition manifests as visuospatial disintegration, difficulties
in drawing or copying diagrams, disorganized conceptualization of figures, impaired
visuospatial memory, and simultanagnosia.[27] Linguistic difficulties include anomia, agrammatic speech, abnormal syntactic structures,
and abnormal prosody, characterized by high-pitched, hypophonic whining.[27]
Emotional dysregulation, particularly when lesions involve the vermis and fastigial
nucleus, is a prominent feature of CCAS. The affective component of CCAS can be categorized
into five neuropsychiatric domains: attentional control, emotional control, social
skill set, autism spectrum disorders, and psychosis spectrum disorders.[27] Notably, within each domain, there exists a duality of symptoms: a positive, exaggerated
symptom (hypermetria) and a negative, diminished symptom (hypometria). For instance,
within the attentional control domain of CCAS/SS, individuals may exhibit either inattentiveness
and hyperactivity, or ruminative thoughts and struggle with focusing. Similarly, within
the emotional control domain, impulsivity or anergia can be observed. In the autism
spectrum, individuals may display either stereotypical behaviors or exhibit avoidant
behaviors. The psychosis spectrum may manifest illogical thought processes or lack
of empathy, while the social skill set may be marked by anger or passivity. This duality
contributes to Schmahmann's proposed concept of “dysmetria of thought.”
One of the most severe forms of CCAS/SS is cerebellar mutism, also known as posterior
fossa syndrome, which typically occurs in children following surgery for midline cerebellar
or intraventricular posterior skull base tumors.[28] Cerebellar mutism presents with a complex constellation of neurological and neurocognitive
features, with a severe, albeit usually reversible, language disorder as the core
feature. Language and speech impairments include apraxia, slowness of speech, reduced
verbal fluency, and diminished spontaneous speech.[28]
Recent research has highlighted the significance of autistic syndromes in understanding
cerebellar cognitive and emotional control. It has been proposed that the core pathology
in CCAS/SS is impaired predictive function in both the cognitive and emotional domains.
Autism is characterized by impairments in cerebellar adaptive prediction, the process
of generating expectations or predictions to rapidly adapt to changing stimuli or
situations.[29] Adaptive prediction involves utilizing past experiences to infer intentions from
the actions of others, predict what others might say, and infer the mental states
of others, enabling individuals to swiftly modify their own behavior in response to
the intentions of those around them.[30]
Leggio and Molinari[31] proposed the “sequencing prediction” hypothesis. The hypothesis proposed transmission
of an efferent copy of cognitive processes from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum
via a closed-loop pathway. The cerebellum then identifies the temporal sequence of
these events and encodes them within the internal model. Consequently, the cerebellum
compares novel inputs from the cerebral cortex with expected behavioral and sensory
consequences. Furthermore, the cerebellum automatically fine-tunes cerebral cortical
activity upon the detection of discrepancies. This theory aligns well with the concept
of the internal model in motor control.
CEREBELLAR RESERVE
A notable characteristic of the cerebellum is its capacity for functional recovery
following damage.[32] This phenomenon is termed cerebellar reserve and can be attributed to several factors:
the inherent redundancy of this organ's functional units, the convergent input via
the extensive mossy fiber-parallel fiber network, and the diverse forms of synaptic
plasticity. Consequently, it is hypothesized that functional units can compensate
for damaged ones, and through synaptic plasticity, establish appropriate output pathways
from previously underutilized cerebral inputs. Cerebellar reserve applies to CMS,
VCS, and CCAS/SS. Patients may show a clinical compensation for the three syndromes.
CLINICAL SCALES IN ATAXIOLOGY
CLINICAL SCALES IN ATAXIOLOGY
Clinical scales remain the most robust instruments in clinical practice.[10] The most common ones for ataxia are the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia
(SARA) and international cooperative ataxia rating scale (ICARS) for CMS, scale for
ocular motor disorders in ataxia (SODA) for VCS, and for CCAS/SS the Schmahmann rating
and the recently described cerebellar neuropsychiatric rating (CNRS) scales ([Figure 4]).[9] All of them fit with the classification into 3 clinical cerebellar syndromes and
the location of cerebellar lesions. In all these scales, dysmetria is the core-feature.
Abbreviations: CMS, cerebellar motor syndrome; VCS, vestibulocerebellar syndrome.
Figure 4 The three cornerstones of cerebellar ataxiology and the clinical rating scales applied
in daily practice. The three clinical syndromes are related to a symptom-lesion mapping:
the sensorimotor cerebellum corresponds to lobules I–VI and VIII (orange circles),
the cognitive cerebellum is located in lobules VI–IX (blue circles), and the vestibular
cerebellum matches to lobules V–VII and IX–X (green circles). The clinical scale SARA
assesses CMS, the SODA scale assesses VCS, and the Schmahmann rating scale assesses
CCAS/SS. The ICARS scale assesses both CMS and VCS. The CNRS scale assesses the neuropsychiatric
aspects of CCAS/SS.
In conclusion, the history of cerebellar neurology has been marked by attempts to
reconcile its diverse neurological syndromes into a unified framework. The early work
of Babinski, Holmes, and Garcin provided meticulous description of various motor symptoms.[1]
[3]
[4]
[6]
[20] Subsequent research extended this work by analyzing eye movement abnormalities in
various cerebellar disorders. Moreover, in the 1990s, CCAS/SS emerged as a concept,
encompassing a broad spectrum of cognitive and emotional disturbances, further enriching
the field but also complicating the understanding of the neural system.
Studies on neuropsychiatry of the cerebellum also emerged,[9] bringing insights that offered a potential solution to this complexity. The homogeneous
neural network was discovered within the cerebellar cortex in the 1960s, coupled with
the elucidation of closed-loop connections between the cerebellum and other key brain
regions (cerebrum, basal ganglia, brainstem) in the following years, it laid the groundwork
for the principle of cerebellar unity and the concept of “universal cerebellar transform”
proposed by Schmahmann. Dysmetria applies to motor, cognitive, and affective deficits.
Assuming the critical role of the cerebellum as an internal forward model that predicts
the outcomes of motor, cognitive, and emotional processes, we propose that cerebellar
signs and symptoms can be explained under a unified framework as disruptions in these
predictive functions across all domains. The next crucial step includes the development
of a comprehensive computational unified model that can accurately predict these outcomes.
Bibliographical Record
Mario Manto, Hiroshi Mitoma. Cerebellar syndromes: clinical observations leading to
the recognition of the three types. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2025; 83: s00451811727.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1811727