Diversity and dynamism in the cerebellum

Recent research has discovered new connections between cerebellar neurons, revealed abundant inputs related to reward, demonstrated a cellular solution for the temporal credit assignment problem and restructured theories of cerebellar learning. The past several years have brought revelations and paradigm shifts in research on the cerebellum. Historically viewed as a simple sensorimotor controller with homogeneous architecture, the cerebellum is increasingly implicated in cognitive functions. It possesses an impressive diversity of molecular, cellular and circuit mechanisms, embedded in a dynamic, recurrent circuit architecture. Recent insights about the diversity and dynamism of the cerebellum provide a roadmap for the next decade of cerebellar research, challenging some old concepts, reinvigorating others and defining major new research directions.

Automated summary

Recent research has revealed new connections between cerebellar neurons, abundant inputs related to reward, a cellular solution for the temporal credit assignment problem, and has restructured theories of cerebellar learning. The discoveries challenge historical views of the cerebellum as a simple sensorimotor controller and highlight its involvement in cognitive functions. The diversity and dynamism of the cerebellum provide a roadmap for future research and define major new research directions.