Cerebellar control of movement

Current concepts about the physiological functions of the cerebellum in the control of movement have been derived largely from examination of the deficits resulting from cerebellar lesions in experimental animals and humans. In one of the earliest major contributions, after extensive study of the effects of cerebellar ablations on posture and movement in animals, Luciani {I) concluded that three fundamental disturbances account for the signs and symptoms of cerebellar disease. These disturbances include atonia (diminished resistance to passive manipulation of the limbs); astasia (the jerky, intermittent character of movements); and asthenia (diminished power of movements). Building on these findings, but stemming principally from his own direct observations of the consequences of cerebellar tumors and gunshot wounds to the cerebellum during World