Lessons from human neuroimaging on the developing cerebellum in health and disease.

Abstract

The cerebellum is a critical structure for both motor and cognitive behaviors. Although the majority of human neuroimaging research has examined the cerebellum in adults, this "little brain" may be especially pivotal during development. Indeed, the cerebellum has a unique developmental timecourse relative to the cerebral cortex, suggesting that it may play a unique role in the development of motor and cognitive functions. Here, we review the literature on cerebellar development with a focus on neuroimaging studies in humans. We discuss several structural and functional MRI studies that examine the cerebellum across typical development from infancy through adulthood. We also discuss the links between the developmental time course of various cerebellar sub-regions and the emergence of core motor and cognitive functions. Finally, we investigate the consequences of cerebellar differences (and disorders that implicate the cerebellum) on motor control, language and communication, executive function, attention, and affective regulation.