Introduction to language and cerebellum

This introduction describes some of the general concepts regarding the structure and functions of the cerebellum to give an insight into the more specific topics dealt with in this Special Issue on Language and Cerebellum. A short excursus on early discoveries of cerebellar functions is followed by a schematic description of the cerebellar cortex: the deep cerebellar nuclei, efferent fibers from, and afferent fibers to the cerebellum, and the cerebellar circuitry. The main neurological symptoms following cerebellar lesions are reported. In the final part, the possible role played by the cerebellum in the regulation of linguistic, cognitive and emotional processes is discussed (learning and procedural memory, visuo-spatial tasks, attention and sensorimotor tasks, language and verbal memory, learning disabilities, and vegetative and emotional functions). (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.