Corticocerebellum (neocerebellum)

Corticocerebellum is largest part of cerebellum. Because of its connection with cerebral cortex, it is called corticocerebellum or cerebrocerebellum. It is phylogenetically newer part of cerebellum. So, it is also called neocerebellum. It is concerned with planning, programming and coordination of skilled movements.

COMPONENTS OF CORTICOCEREBELLUM

Corticocerebellum includes the lateral portions of cerebellar hemispheres.

Fig.28. Connections of corticocerebellum.

FUNCTIONS OF CORTICOCEREBELLUM

Corticocerebellum is concerned with the integration and regulation of well coordinated muscular activities. The lesion in corticocerebellum leads to disturbances in movements.

Corticocerebellum takes part in the integration and regulation of coordinated activities because of its afferent-efferent connection with cerebral cortex called the cerebro-cerebello-cerebral circuit. Apart from its connections with cerebral cortex, cerebellum also receives nerve fibers from proprioceptors in muscle. Thus, cerebellum receives feedback signals from the muscles during muscular activity.

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF CORTICOCEREBELLUM

Damping Action

All the voluntary muscular activities are initiated by motor areas of cerebral cortex. Simultaneously, corticocerebellum receives impulses from motor cortex as well as feedback signals from the muscles as soon as the muscular activity starts.

Corticocerebellum in turn sends impulses to cerebral cortex to discharge appropriate signals to the muscles so that, any extra or exaggeration of muscular activity is prevented and the movements become smooth and accurate. This action of corticocerebellum is called damping action.

Control of Ballistic Movements

The rapid alternate movements, which take place in different parts of the body while doing any skilled or trained work like typing, cycling, dancing, etc. are called ballistic movements. Corticocerebellum plays an important role in preplanning these movements during learning process.

Timing and Programming the Movements

While using a typewriter or while doing any other fast skilled work, a chain of movements occur rapidly in a sequential manner. During the learning processes of these skilled works, corticocerebellum plays an important role. The corticocerebellum plans the various sequential movements. It also plans the time duration of each movement and the time interval between movements. All the information from corticocerebellum are communicated to sensory motor area of cerebral cortex and stored in the form of memory. So, after the learning process is over, these activities are executed easily and smoothly in sequential manner.

Servomechanism

Once the skilled works are learnt, the sequential movements are executed without any interruption. Cerebellum lets the cerebral cortex to discharge the signals, which are already programmed and stored at sensory motor cortex, and, does not interfere much. However, if there is any disturbance or interference, the corticocerebellum immediately influences the cortex and corrects the movements. This action of corticocerebellum is known as servomechanism.

Comparator Function

The integration and coordination of the various muscular activities are regulated by the comparator function of the corticocerebellum. As already mentioned, it receives the representation of cortical impulses which are sent to the muscles and the feedback proprioceptive impulses coming from the muscles. By receiving the messages from both ends, corticocerebellum compares the actual cortical commands for muscular activity and the movements taking place in the muscles. Now, it sends impulses to the motor cortex to correct or modify the cortical signals to muscles, so that the movements become accurate and precise. This function of corticocerebellum is known as comparator function. Simultaneously, it also receives impulses from tactile receptors, eye and ear. Such additional information facilitates the comparator function of corticocerebellum.