Background
The cerebellum is a brain region recognized primarily in the coordination of movement
and related accessory motor functions. In addition, emerging evidence implicates the
cerebellum in cognitive processes and suggests that this brain region might be subject
to experience-dependent changes in structure. Therefore, the aim of this study was
to evaluate the role of early environmental deprivation in the maturation of the cerebellum
and aspects of cognitive development.
Methods
Structural magnetic resonance imaging volumes of 12 cerebellar sub-regions from 31
previously neglected and 30 typically developing children were compared with subjects'
corresponding neuropsychological test scores.
Results
Neglected children had smaller volume of the superior-posterior cerebellar lobes.
Moreover, superior-posterior lobe volume was found to mediate neuropsychological test
performance differences between groups, with larger volumes yielding better outcomes
on tests of memory and planning.
Conclusions
These data support the importance of experience-dependent changes in cerebellar structure
and highlight the role of the cerebellum in higher cognitive functions.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 06, 2009
Accepted:
June 22,
2009
Received in revised form:
June 20,
2009
Received:
March 22,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
