The role of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway in skilled movement

Abstract

Studies of lesions of the primate cerebellum leave little doubt that the cerebellum is necessary for the execution of smooth and accurate movements. How the cerebellum fulfills this role at a neuronal level remains unknown. It is likely that the cerebellum exerts the same effect on a number of different efferent targets. In order to influence voluntary movement, a major output from the cerebellum projects to the motor cortex via the cerebello-thalamo-cortical (CTC) pathway. By examining neuronal activity in the cerebellar thalamus, and comparing this with activity recorded from its connections with the deep cerebellar nuclei and motor cortex, conclusions can be made regarding cerebellar func..