A syndrome of the dentate nucleus mimicking psychogenic ataxia

J Neurol Sci. 2010 Mar 15;290(1-2):183-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2009.10.017.

Abstract

To date, cerebellar involvement in control of non-motor functions like cognition and emotion is increasingly well established. Current models suggest that motor and non-motor networks connecting the cerebellum with cortical areas operate independently in closed and segregated loops. Here, we report a 59-year-old female patient with a small cerebellar lesion that shows that cognitive activation can significantly influence cerebellar motor control. Surprisingly, this led to a clinical picture mimicking a psychogenic disorder. Similar to non-human primates, this case suggests that the human dentate nucleus consists of distinct cognitive and motor domains with additional somatotopical arrangement of the latter. Extending current models of cerebro-cerebellar interaction, this case further illustrates that there can be significant functional cross-talk between motor and cognitive cerebellar networks.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ataxia / etiology
  • Ataxia / pathology*
  • Ataxia / physiopathology
  • Cerebellar Diseases / pathology*
  • Cerebellar Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cerebellar Nuclei / pathology*
  • Cerebellar Nuclei / physiopathology
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalitis / complications
  • Encephalitis / drug therapy
  • Encephalitis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement / physiology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Methylprednisolone