It is increasingly recognized that alterations in cerebellar structure and function are implicated in the pathogenesis of psychotic disorders. For example, reduced cerebellar volume has been found as one of the most prominent structural changes among patients with psychosis in large-scale clinical cohorts. Aberrant cerebellar-cortical connectivity has also been reported as a rudimentary trait that can be robustly detected in both patients and individuals at genetic or clinical risk for psychosis, corroborating the proposed 'cognitive dysmetria' hypothesis. Genetic studies have shown that the expression of risk genes for schizophrenia is enriched in the cerebellum, which is related to cerebellar volume. Initial evidence has also pointed to the cerebellum as a promising interventional target, where the modulation of cerebellar function could potentially ameliorate clinical symptoms in patients.
Despite such progress, there are still major gaps in the understanding of the role of the cerebellum in cognition and psychopathology. Even less is known regarding the translational value of cerebellar research in terms of prevention and treatment of psychotic disorders. The goal of this Research Topic is therefore to collect high-quality research focusing on the cerebellum and psychosis. We aim to cover a broad range of research areas related to this topic, ranging from basic benchwork to neuroimaging to clinical trials, in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of cerebellar function and its association with illness. We hope that this collection will highlight the recent advances in the biological mechanisms underlying cerebellar cognitive function, the risks contributing to cerebellar dysfunction and psychopathology during neurodevelopment, and the promises and challenges of translating these neuroscience discoveries to patient care.
We welcome original research articles and review articles related to this broad topic. Contributors are encouraged (but not limited) to submit articles covering the following research areas:
• genetic and molecular basis of cerebellar structure and function with relevance to psychosis
• cerebellum-related animal models of psychotic disorders
• neuroimaging studies of cerebellar structure and function in patients with psychotic disorders
• cognitive sciences of cerebellum in coordinating human behaviors and thoughts in patients and healthy individuals
• development of the cerebellum during adolescence and its association with psychosis
• cerebellum-related predictors for illness onset and treatment outcomes in psychotic disorders
• novel treatment strategies targeting the cerebellum and their related mechanisms in patients.
In addition, we welcome all cerebellum-related reviews, commentaries on existing publications, and perspectives.
It is increasingly recognized that alterations in cerebellar structure and function are implicated in the pathogenesis of psychotic disorders. For example, reduced cerebellar volume has been found as one of the most prominent structural changes among patients with psychosis in large-scale clinical cohorts. Aberrant cerebellar-cortical connectivity has also been reported as a rudimentary trait that can be robustly detected in both patients and individuals at genetic or clinical risk for psychosis, corroborating the proposed 'cognitive dysmetria' hypothesis. Genetic studies have shown that the expression of risk genes for schizophrenia is enriched in the cerebellum, which is related to cerebellar volume. Initial evidence has also pointed to the cerebellum as a promising interventional target, where the modulation of cerebellar function could potentially ameliorate clinical symptoms in patients.
Despite such progress, there are still major gaps in the understanding of the role of the cerebellum in cognition and psychopathology. Even less is known regarding the translational value of cerebellar research in terms of prevention and treatment of psychotic disorders. The goal of this Research Topic is therefore to collect high-quality research focusing on the cerebellum and psychosis. We aim to cover a broad range of research areas related to this topic, ranging from basic benchwork to neuroimaging to clinical trials, in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of cerebellar function and its association with illness. We hope that this collection will highlight the recent advances in the biological mechanisms underlying cerebellar cognitive function, the risks contributing to cerebellar dysfunction and psychopathology during neurodevelopment, and the promises and challenges of translating these neuroscience discoveries to patient care.
We welcome original research articles and review articles related to this broad topic. Contributors are encouraged (but not limited) to submit articles covering the following research areas:
• genetic and molecular basis of cerebellar structure and function with relevance to psychosis
• cerebellum-related animal models of psychotic disorders
• neuroimaging studies of cerebellar structure and function in patients with psychotic disorders
• cognitive sciences of cerebellum in coordinating human behaviors and thoughts in patients and healthy individuals
• development of the cerebellum during adolescence and its association with psychosis
• cerebellum-related predictors for illness onset and treatment outcomes in psychotic disorders
• novel treatment strategies targeting the cerebellum and their related mechanisms in patients.
In addition, we welcome all cerebellum-related reviews, commentaries on existing publications, and perspectives.
