Analysis and Therapy of Cerebellar Ataxia and Asynergia

It has been known for many years that the cerebellum is concerned with coordination of movement, with muscle tonus, and with equilibrium. The early experimental work of Luciani20on ablation of the cerebellum demonstrated his famous triad, "asthenia, atonia and ataxia." Sherrington23called the cerebellum the "head ganglion of the proprioceptive system" and considered that it functions as a whole. Phylogenetic investigations by Bolk6and experimental studies by van Rijnberk27led to the view that there is specific localization of function within the cerebellum. Subdivision of the cerebellum into three fundamental parts is now generally accepted.4The archicerebellum, or flocculonodular lobe, has primarily vestibular connections and is concerned with equilibrium. The paleocerebellum, made up of most of the anterior lobe and part of the posterior lobe, is concerned primarily with muscle tonus. The neocerebellum, which has enlarged enormously in vertebrate evolution, along with development of