Cerebellum: Master of Movement Learning and Coordination
This lecture focused on the cerebellum’s role in motor function, specifically how it contributes to motor learning and motor coordination.
Motor Learning:
- The cerebellum is like a biological trainer, constantly refining our movements through practice.
- Examples:
- Babies take countless steps (equivalent to miles!) as they learn to walk.
- We make postural adjustments (against gravity) countless times throughout our lives.
Motor Memories:
- Once learned, basic movement patterns become ingrained as motor memories, which are practically impossible to forget.
- Examples: walking, riding a bike.
- The strength of a motor memory depends on the amount of practice.
- Frequently practiced skills (like playing a musical instrument) can be retrieved even after long periods of disuse.
Motor Coordination:
- The cerebellum goes beyond just learning. It also adapts our movements to various situations:
- Changes in our body: After recovering from a broken leg, the cerebellum helps us re-learn our walking pattern.
- Changes in the environment: The cerebellum adjusts our walking on uneven terrain (beach) or a moving ship.
The lecture continues by exploring different parts of the cerebellum and their roles in specific types of movements.
Key takeaways:
- The cerebellum is crucial for motor learning and coordination.
- We constantly refine our movements through practice.
- Motor memories are long-lasting and difficult to forget.
- The cerebellum adapts our movements to various situations.