At Birkdale we see many individuals who have conditions that impact the cerebellum – which accounts
for 10% of the volume of the whole brain, yet contains greater than 50% of its total number of neurons.
The function of the cerebellum goes far beyond its commonly recognized role in balance and
coordination. Cerebellar anatomy and its influence on various regions in the central nervous system is
complex.

The cerebellum’s most visible function is coordinating voluntary movements. It integrates information from sensory
systems and the cerebral cortex to fine-tune motor actions, ensuring smooth and precise movements. This is why
damage to the cerebellum can lead to problems with balance, coordination, and motor learning.
However, the cerebellum’s functions extend beyond motor coordination. It plays a crucial role in cognitive
processes such as attention, language, and executive functioning. Research has shown that it
contributes to the planning and execution of complex cognitive tasks, and plays an important role in
processing auditory and visual information. It is integral to how we respond to, and interact with, our
environment.

In auditory processing, the cerebellum helps fine-tune our ability to localize sounds and process complex
auditory information. It contributes to our capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, and speech nuances, allowing
us to navigate noisy environments and follow conversations. The cerebellum has an important role to
play in the integration of visual information with motor control, which is crucial for tasks such as hand-eye
coordination and visual tracking.

Whether traveling in busy environments, navigating different spaces, or playing sports, these skills are
essential for daily life.

When the cerebellum’s function is impaired, individuals can experience difficulties in distinguishing
sounds and maintaining auditory attention, processing information, regulating emotions and cognitive
processes, as well as problems with motor control.

At Birkdale we consider the multifaceted nature of the cerebellum in treating our patients. We frequently
incorporate auditory and visual skills into our treatment approaches, as well as using sensory and
balance strategies to enhance our patient’s movement and function.