The role of the cerebellum in multiple sclerosis-150 years after Charcot

Abstract

Despite its functional importance and well known clinical impact in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the cerebellum has only received significant attention over the past few years. It is now established that the cerebellum plays a key role not only in various sensory-motor networks, but also in cognitive-behavioural processes, domains primarily affected in patients with MS. Evidence from histopathological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on cerebellar involvement in MS is increasingly available, however linking these pathological findings with clinical dysfunction remains challenging. There are promising advances in technology that are likely to improve the detection of pathological changes within the cerebellum, which may elucidate how pathology relates to disability.

Keywords: Atrophy; Cerebellum; Cognition; Depth-sensing computer vision; Magnetic resonance imaging; Multiple sclerosis; Neurodegeneration.