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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory01:14

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the cerebellum's...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Modulating Cognition Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Cerebellum
11:47

Modulating Cognition Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Cerebellum

Published on: February 15, 2015

Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation modulates verbal working memory.

Andreas Boehringer1, Katja Macher, Juergen Dukart

  • 1Dept. of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany. post@andreas-boehringer.de

Brain Stimulation
|November 6, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the cerebellum impaired verbal working memory performance in healthy adults. This suggests the cerebellum plays a key role in verbal working memory functions.

Keywords:
CerebellumDigit spanWorking memorytDCS

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) of Wernicke's and Broca's Areas in Studies of Language Learning and Word Acquisition
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Published on: July 13, 2019

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neurophysiology

Background:

  • Neuroimaging reveals cerebellar involvement in diverse cognitive tasks.
  • Cerebellar lesions are associated with higher-order cognitive deficits, implying a significant role for the cerebellum.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cerebellum's role in verbal working memory.
  • To determine if cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the cerebellum impairs verbal working memory.

Main Methods:

  • Forty healthy participants underwent randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, cross-over cathodal tDCS (2 mA, 25 min) to the right cerebellum.
  • Verbal working memory was assessed using forward and backward digit spans.
  • Control tasks included word reading, finger tapping, and a sensorimotor task.

Main Results:

  • Cathodal cerebellar tDCS significantly reduced forward digit spans.
  • The practice-dependent improvement in backward digit spans was blocked by cerebellar tDCS.
  • No significant effects were observed on word reading, finger tapping, or sensorimotor performance.

Conclusions:

  • The cerebellum is crucial for verbal working memory, as evidenced by digit span performance.
  • Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can create reversible "virtual cerebellar lesions" to study cognitive functions.
  • This research enhances understanding of verbal working memory deficits in cerebellar patients.