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A Standardized Pipeline for Examining Human Cerebellar Grey Matter Morphometry using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: February 4, 2022
Segregated fronto-cerebellar circuits revealed by intrinsic functional connectivity
Fenna M Krienen1, Randy L Buckner
1Department of Psychology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. krienen@wjh.harvard.edu
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|July 14, 2009
Summary
This study maps distinct fronto-cerebellar circuits in humans using functional connectivity MRI. Findings reveal the cerebellum
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Fronto-cerebellar circuits are crucial for motor and cognitive functions.
- Previous research in nonhuman primates identified segregated circuits using transneuronal tracing.
- The role of prefrontal cortex-cerebellum connections in humans requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and map distinct fronto-cerebellar circuits in the human brain using functional connectivity MRI.
- To investigate the topographical organization of these circuits.
- To determine the cerebellar involvement in cognitive networks, including the default network.
Main Methods:
- Functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) was employed in two independent cohorts of human participants (n=40 each).
- Seed regions were defined in various frontal cortical areas, including motor cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and anterior prefrontal cortex.
- Analysis focused on identifying correlated activity patterns between frontal and cerebellar regions to map circuit topography.
Main Results:
- Four distinct fronto-cerebellar circuits were identified, targeting motor cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and anterior prefrontal cortex.
- These circuits were replicated in an independent dataset, demonstrating robustness.
- Contralateral lateralization of cerebellar engagement was observed for frontal cortical regions.
- A specific fronto-cerebellar circuit interacting with the default network was identified, highlighting cerebellar roles in cognition.
Conclusions:
- The cerebellum participates in cognitive networks through distinct fronto-cerebellar circuits involving prefrontal cortex.
- A significant portion of the posterior cerebellum is associated with prefrontal cortex, underscoring its role in nonmotor functions.
- A provisional topographical map of the cerebellum based on functional connectivity with the frontal cortex is provided.
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