Age-related changes in the cerebellum and the effects on motor function

Degeneration of the cerebellum is an effect of normal aging. Together with this, motor deficits are found in older patients as well. Although it is clear that the cerebellum plays a crucial role in motor control functions, the relation between structural cerebellum changes and decline of motor function is still not completely understood. According to the currently accepted structure hypothesis cerebellar degeneration directly causes motor deficits, since age-related function decline has been found in sensorimotor control and motor learning. However, the motor reserve hypothesis on the other side denies that there is a direct relation between cerebellar degeneration and motor function decline. Several cerebellum specific functions seem to remain fully intact in older patients, despite clear degeneration of the cerebellum. This implies the presence of a motor reserve in the cerebellum. This study will focus on the question whether there is a motor reserve in the cerebellum by comparing healthy participants from different age groups. The participants’ motor functions will be assessed through a large behavioral test battery, aiming to particularly isolate cerebellar functions. Together with this, the structure and connectivity will be investigated as well. The aim of this study is to understand how motor function and cerebellar structure are related to age and to each other.