From the Cerebellum Networking to Brain Dynamics Function

Recent advances in understanding the brain’s dynamic functioning have been achieved through a wide range of experiments conducted across multiple levels of biological organization, from genes and single neurons to large-scale networks, behavior, and mental states. Such progress has been possible only through transdisciplinary research integrating data obtained from both animal models and human studies.

Major scientific breakthroughs concerning the cerebellum, often referred to as the “little brain” in contrast to the “big brain”, have emerged from this convergence of investigations in humans, non-human primates, and rodents. Despite the remarkable technological progress associated with patch-clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, high-density multi-neuron recordings using Neuropixels probes, and the development of sophisticated computational models, the avenues for discovery remain far from exhausted.

The translation of results from animal models to humans presents numerous challenges; nevertheless, confronting these challenges is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders that currently lack effective treatments. Alzheimer’s disease is a particularly illustrative case, underscoring the importance of elucidating the functional interactions between the cerebellum and its multiple projection targets, including the brainstem, thalamus, hippocampus, and frontal cortex. The transition from fundamental research to clinical application may be facilitated by the cerebellum’s favorable anatomical position, which makes it accessible to non-invasive neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).

The present Research Topic (RT) highlights two complementary lines of investigation. First, it promotes experimental approaches in animal models aimed at elucidating the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the modulation of neuronal oscillations. These studies rely on invasive electrophysiological recordings, including local field potentials (LFPs) and neuronal ensemble activity, from single-unit to multi-unit recordings—collected across diverse behavioral paradigms and experimental conditions, involving various sensory, motor, or cognitive stimulations, as well as pharmacological manipulations. Second, the RT emphasizes non-invasive human studies, particularly those employing EEG and MEG, to investigate paradigms engaging the cerebellum. The objective is to deepen our understanding of the dynamic interactions within distributed neural networks linking the cerebellum to frontal cortical regions. Importantly, this RT is not restricted to Alzheimer’s disease. It encompasses a broader spectrum of neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s chorea, cerebellar ataxias) and psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, FAS, ADHD), thereby fostering an integrative view of cerebello-cortical contributions to both normal and pathological brain function.