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Table 1 Theories of cerebellar functions

From: Mechanisms of human cerebellar dysmetria: experimental evidence and current conceptual bases

Theory

Assumptions

Selected referenceq

Adaptative filter hypothesis

Based upon Marr-Albus theory.

Transformation of sets of signals into others. Components are weighted individually and then recombined to minimise the errors in performance caused by unavoidable noise.

Fujita, 1982 [71]

Internal models

The cerebellum contains neural representations to emulate movement. Internal models reproduce the dynamic properties of body parts.

Wolpert et al., 1998 [72]

Forward model

The model predicts the next state given the current state and the motor command.

 

Inverse model

The model inverts the system by providing the motor command that will cause the desired change in state.

 

Tonic reinforcer

The cerebellum tunes the intensities of agonist/antagonist/synergist muscles. Cerebellum exerts an excitatory influence upon extra-cerebellar targets.

Eccles et al., 1967 [73]

Bastian and Thach, 2002 [25]

Cerebellar timer

Cerebellum is the main site of temporal representation of action.

Braitenberg, 1967 [74]

Ivry and Spencer, 2004 [75]

Wave-variable processor

The cerebellum contributes to a servo-motor mechanism.

Massaquoi and Slotine, 1996 [76]

Sensory processor

The cerebellum monitors and adjusts the acquisition of sensory information.

Bower, 1997 [77]