About this Research Topic
The cerebellum plays a pivotal role in normal brain function, being involved in several motor and non-motor functions due to its high number of structural and functional connections with the telencephalon. Although there is relatively wide knowledge about the physiological functions of this part of the brain, including the coordination of voluntary movements, balance, and speech, less is known about the contribution of cerebellar damage to the development of clinical symptoms in different neurological diseases.
The aim of this Research Topic is to expand the knowledge about the role of cerebellar damage in a wide range of conditions, ranging from pure vascular etiologies to complex neuroinflammatory or neurodegenerative processes. In particular, this Research Topic will focus on both the understanding of the physiopathology of cerebellar damage using cellular or animal models, and on the use of advanced imaging techniques to in-vivo evaluate the contribution of cerebellar damage to the development of clinically significant symptoms, with particular reference to the latter.
Indeed, the evaluation of neuroimaging data not only provides us with knowledge about macroscopic pathological changes affecting the cerebellum, but can also grant insightful in-vivo information about both functional and microstructural changes that can affect this area of the brain, and their role and contribution to the complex pathophysiology of the development of clinically significant damage in several conditions.
Articles welcomed in this Research Topic should focus on:
1) The application and integration of different advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques or other state-of-the-art neuroimaging to evaluate the role of cerebellar damage in several different neurological disorders, and its contribution to clinical symptoms.
2) Application and integration of cellular or animal models of different diseases to study the mechanism of how the cerebellum is involved in these diseases.
Original research papers, review articles and brief research reports are all welcomed.
Keywords: Cerebellum, Stroke, Neurodegeneration, Ataxia, Multiple Sclerosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volumetric MRI, Functional connectivity, Structural connectivity
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
