Brainstem & Cerebellum

BRAINSTEM & CEREBELLUM

  • Authors: Anika Baldizón, Natalie Batch, Isabella Solombrino

PARTS OF THE HUMAN BRAIN

  • Frontal Lobe

  • Temporal Lobe

  • Parietal Lobe

  • Occipital Lobe

  • Cerebellum

  • Spinal Cord

WHAT IS THE BRAINSTEM

  • The brainstem is the lower part of the brain.

  • It is adjoining and structurally continuous with the spinal cord.

BRAINSTEM PARTS

  • Thalamus

  • Midbrain

  • Pons

  • Medulla

  • Spinal Cord

FUNCTIONS OF THE BRAINSTEM

  1. Conduct Functions:

    • Includes the spinothalamic & dorsal column pathways.

  2. Cranial Nerve Origins:

    • Midbrain, Pons, & Medulla.

  3. Conjugate Eye Movement:

    • Coordination of eye movements.

  4. Integrative Functions:

    • Processing various integrative functions.

MIDBRAIN

  • Involved in:

    • Visual and Auditory Information

    • Eye Movement

    • Sleep and Arousal

    • Pain Perception

  • Key Structures:

    • Tegmentum

    • Crus cerebri

    • Tectum

    • Cerebral Aqueduct

    • Superior Colliculus

    • Oculomotor Nucleus

    • Substantia Nigra

    • Red Nucleus

PONS

  • Functions include:

    • Visual and Auditory Information

    • Eye Movement

    • Sleep and Arousal

    • Pain Perception

SIGNS OF A WEAK BRAIN STEM

  • Symptoms:

    • Dizziness

    • Difficulty gagging/coughing

    • Poor sleep patterns

    • Eye movement problems

    • Lack of coordination

    • Nausea

    • Slurred speech

CAUSES OF A WEAK BRAINSTEM

  • Common causes include smoking and high blood pressure.

  • Long-term damage can occur to the small blood vessels supplying the brainstem.

  • Trauma may also damage veins in the neck that supply the brainstem.

CEREBELLUM MAIN INFO

  • Controls:

    • Motor coordination

    • Learning

    • Cognition

    • Memory

    • Language

    • Mood

    • Sleep

    • Error correction mechanism

    • Balance and equilibrium

  • Comprises 10% of brain’s volume and contains 80% of brain’s neurons.

MAIN PARTS OF THE CEREBELLUM

  • Paravermis

  • Vermis

  • Hemispheres

  • Primary fissure

  • Multiple lobes and fissures detailed in diagrams.

CEREBELLAR CORTEX LAYERS

  • Three layers:

    • Molecular layer

    • Purkinje cell layer

    • Granular layer

  • Contains interneurons and fibers that deliver sensorimotor signals to Purkinje cells.

POSSIBLE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

  • Dysdiadochokinesia: Difficulty with rapid and alternating movements

  • Ataxia: Poor muscle control

  • Nystagmus: Uncontrolled eye movements

  • Intention Tremor: Tremors during purposeful movements

  • Slurred Speech: Weakening speech muscles

  • Hypotonia: Decreased muscle tone

  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes: Associated with cancer

  • Schmahmann Syndrome: Affects coordination and balance

  • Vertigo/Dizziness: Loss of balance

  • Dementia: Cognitive decline

EXERCISING THE CEREBELLUM

  • New Patterns:

    • Practice 8-figure movements with limbs

    • Change speeds and directions during exercises

  • Posture: Focus on vermis roles related to posture and limb movement to improve stability.

  • Suggested activities include back exercises and yoga.

FINAL THOUGHTS

  • Emphasize brain health through exercise, adequate care, and awareness of symptoms.