Neuronal circuit function and dysfunction in the cerebellum: from neurons to integrated control

This special issue follows the meeting The Cerebellum: From Neurons to Higher Control and Cognition held in Pavia, Italy, on 8-9 July 2010.1 Ever since the early anatomical discoveries by Golgi and Ramon Y Cajal (1-3), cerebellar neuroscience has provided pioneering observations on the nature of ionic channels, synaptic transmission and circuit organization, expanding to such an extent that it still represents a benchmark for brain sciences (2). Cerebellar investigations are providing amongst the highest resolution recordings at cellular and subcellular level, innovative techniques for neuronal circuit analysis and functional imaging of higher control functions. This stimulating experimental activity is supported by remarkable attempts to develop realistic computational models and multi-scale brain theories, projecting cerebellum neuroscience towards the integration of molecular-cellular mechanisms into circuit and systemic level dynamics. The clinical interest in the cerebellum has also been revitalized by this structure’s core involvement not just in motor pathologies like ataxia but also in cognitive pathologies like autism and dyslexia