An unexpected role of the cerebellum: involvement in nutritional organization

The influence of cerebellectomy in nutritional function was studied in the rat. Feeding behavior and analyses of lipids, proteins, nitrogen, and catecholamines in fecal and urinary excreta and in plasma were studied in 20 cerebellectomized, 20 sham operated, and 20 control animals. The results demonstrate that feeding behavior (quantitative rates of daily absorbed food, body weight, and the choice of the nutriment form) was lower in cerebellectomized animals compared to sham operated and control animals. Rates of steatorrhea and urinary levels of vanylmandelic acid, homovanillic acid, and metanephrine were higher in cerebellectomized animals while plasma levels of proteins, fatty acids, and glycerol were lower. Thus, the cerebellum is involved in nutritional regulation in the rodent.