Research Note: Functional Connectivity Between a Corticostriatal Network and the Cerebellum

Cerebellum. 2022 Jun;21(3):520-524. doi: 10.1007/s12311-021-01316-w. Epub 2021 Aug 14.

Abstract

Background: Basal ganglia and cerebellum are structurally and functionally connected in animals. In humans, tractography and seed-based functional connectivity have confirmed this cerebellar-striatal relation. Independent component analysis (ICA) showed that both cerebellum and basal ganglia take part in distinct intrinsic networks.

Methods: Probabilistic ICA analysis was applied to the brain images of 15 healthy volunteers during the resting state and using a 3 T MRI.

Results: A spatial map corresponding to dorsal and ventral basal ganglia circuits was also found to be in functional coherence with crus 2, especially with its vermal region.

Conclusion: It is speculated that such cerebellar-basal ganglionic rsFC could reflect structural interconnections traced in animals and explain reward-based activity detected in the cerebellum.

Keywords: Basal ganglia; Cerebellum; Crus 2; Independent component analysis; Resting-state; Vermis.

MeSH terms

  • Basal Ganglia* / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Cerebellum* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neural Pathways / diagnostic imaging