Ethanol and vestibular stimulation reveal simple and complex aspects of cerebellar heterogeneity

Abstract

Unlike the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum is characterized by a simple histological organization that is relatively uniform throughout. However, molecular characteristics of its constituent elements create a high degree of heterogeneity and complexity resulting in the delineation of modules defined by both parasagittal and anteroposterior boundaries. Eccles notion of the cerebellum as "designed to process input information in some unique and essential manner" may relate to analysis of temporal elements involved in both motor and cognitive behaviors. The complexity of molecular heterogeneities may provide for subtle alterations in temporal processing and lead to behavioral perturbations seen after alcohol or other disruptive stimuli.