J Clin Neurol.  2018 Jan;14(1):1-7. 10.3988/jcn.2018.14.1.1.

Roles of the Declive, Folium, and Tuber Cerebellar Vermian Lobules in Sportspeople

• Park IS
• Lee NJ
• Rhyu IJ

• KMID: 2399592
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2018.14.1.1

Abstract

The cerebellum plays vital roles in balance control and motor learning, including in saccadic adaptation and coordination. It consists of the vermis and two hemispheres and is anatomically separated into ten lobules that are designated as I-X. Although neuroimaging and clinical studies suggest that functions are compartmentalized within the cerebellum, the function of each cerebellar lobule is not fully understood. Electrophysiological and lesion studies in animals as well as neuroimaging and lesion studies in humans have revealed that vermian lobules VI and VII (declive, folium, and tuber) are critical for controlling postural balance, saccadic eye movements, and coordination. In addition, recent structural magnetic resonance imaging studies have revealed that these lobules are larger in elite basketball and short-track speed skaters. Furthermore, in female short-track speed skaters, the volume of this region is significantly correlated with static balance. This article reviews the function of vermian lobules VI and VII, focusing on the control of balance, eye movements, and coordination including coordination between the eyes and hands and bimanual coordination.

Keyword

balance; cerebellum; coordination; saccade

MeSH Terms

Animals
Basketball
Cerebellum
Eye Movements
Female
Hand
Humans
Learning
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neuroimaging
Postural Balance
Saccades

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Changes in brain structure in sportspeople have provided new insight into brain function.

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  Fig. 2 Demonstrative image of a three-dimensional model of the cerebellum. The structural plasticity of vermian lobules VI and VII in sportspeople might be reflected by morphological changes detectable at microscopic level. Yellow: cerebellar hemisphere, orange: vermian lobules I-V (lingual, centralis, and culmen), red: vermian lobules VI and VII (declive, folium, and tuber), violet: vermian lobules VIII-X (pyramis, uvula, and nodulus). Park et al. Cerebellum,2009;8:334-339, with permission of Springer.31

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