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Abstract
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The human cerebellum accounts for approximately 10 percent of total brain volume. Despite its modest size, the cerebellum contains more than half of the total neurons present in the human brain In addition to its established role in motor functions, there is now substantial clinical and scientific evidence that the cerebellum is involved in non-motor related processes and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Despite its role in attention, emotion regulation, affective learning, working memory, language and mentalizing, the cerebellum has received little attention in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders.
Methods
A systematic literature search with predefined search criteria [**include search terms here?**] was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane to review the role the cerebellum in the pathogenesis and nosology of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Clinical and neuroscientific studies on social, cognitive, emotional, and motor functions were included in this quantitative review. In addition, experts were interviewed in order to integrate current scientific and clinical findings with a focus on the Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome (CCAS).
Results
Scientific literature in support of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with cerebellar disorders in children and adolescents is growing, but systematic studies remain limited. The focus of published studies is primarily on structural diseases such as tumours of the posterior fossa (e.g., medulloblastomas, astrocytomas) and cerebellar malformations such as Dandy-Walker syndrome and Arnold-Chiari malformation. These disorders are often associated with executive deficits, visuo-spatial disorders, and affective impairments. Functional neuro-anatomical aspects, such as cerebello-cerebral networks in the context of neuropsychiatric symptoms are typically not considered. Further paediatric research in this area is necessary because recent studies suggest that connectivity disturbances in these networks contribute to cognitive and affective dysfunctions in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
Discussion
Results indicate that cerebellar abnormalities play a prominent role in common paediatric psychiatric disorders. Closer cooperation between neuropaediatrics, child and adolescent psychiatry and neuroscientific research is necessary to better understand the cerebellar mechanisms underlyingneuropsychiatric symptoms in the developing brain of children and adolescents.
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