New clues for the role of cerebellum in schizophrenia and the associated cognitive impairment

• DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1386583
• Publication Date: 2024-05-10T04:46:18Z
• Authors: Pawan Faris; Doris Pischedda; Fulvia Palesi; Egidio D’Angelo
• Keywords: Forebrain

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder associated with severe cognitive dysfunction. Although research has mainly focused on forebrain abnormalities, emerging results support the involvement of cerebellum in SZ physiopathology, particularly Cognitive Impairment Associated (CIAS). Besides its role motor learning and control, implicated cognition emotion. Recent suggests that structural functional changes are linked to deficits various domains including attention, working memory, decision-making. Moreover, cerebellar dysfunction related altered circuit activities connectivity brain regions processing. This review delves into CIAS. We initially consider major alterations CIAS, addressing impairments neurotransmitter systems, synaptic plasticity, connectivity. then focus recent findings showing several mechanisms also communication impaired. evidence implicates as key component circuits underpinning CIAS physiopathology. Further studies warranted might open new perspectives toward understanding physiopathology effective treatment these disorders.