Cerebellum: not just motor function. About a case

Abstract

The cerebellum constitutes a nervous structure with multiple bidirectional connections with the prefrontal cortex. This relationship allows us to understand its importance on neurocognitive processes. Multidisciplinary evaluation of neurological conditions allows us to study in depth its impact on the emotional and cognitive sphere. Present case study aims to analyze the neurological and neuropsychological characteristics of a 64-year-old patient with cerebellar degeneration (novo progressive cerebellar atrophy), which has 15 years of evolution but evaluated by the neuropsychology area the last four years. After clinical evaluation carried out in two stages, and after check standardized neurocognitive tests, significant qualitative data are observed. A progressive decline in the patient's neurocognitive sphere is evident, mainly in executive processes, such as bradypsychia, attention deficit, cognitive rigidity, foresight deficit, and categorical evocation. The results suggest deterioration evidenced probably related to underlying cerebellar disorder, and evidence of cortex-cerebellar circuits, such dysfunction will influence on neurocognitive processes of executive type.