The Cognitive Cerebellum
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Historically, the cerebellum was considered a motor structure. Recent research suggests that the human cerebellum is also important in cognition. Our previous work has established that different regions of the cerebellum are involved in motor and cognitive processes, supporting the presence of a "functional topography" of the cerebellum. Now we aim to determine the specific cerebellar contribution to cognitive processes including language, working memory, and social cognition.
The Cerebellum, language and reading
The cerebellum is engaged during language tasks and damage to the cerebellum can result in language impairments. We are investigating the contribution of the cerebellum to language and language recovery following stroke using a variety of techniques, including fMRI and neuromodulation. We are also using cerebellar modulation to investigate the contribution of the cerebellum to reading.
The Cerebellum & Development
The cerebellum is important in implicit and procedural learning, and these learning mechanisms are particularly crucial during early development. We conduct behavioral, structural and functional neuroimaging, and clinical studies to understand the role of the cerebellum in cognitive development.
The Cerebellum & Neurodevelopmental conditions
The cerebellum is one of the most consistent sites of structural and functional differences in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, and developmental dyslexia. Work in our lab examines how cerebellar dysfunction may contribute to the etiology of these conditions.
Collaborators
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Peter Tsai, MD PhD, UT Southwestern Medical Center
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Karin Walsh, PsyD, Children's National Medical Center
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Anne Inge, PhD, Children's National Medical Center
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Peter Turkeltaub, MD PhD, Georgetown University Medical Center
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Lauren McGrath, PhD, University of Colorado Denver
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Catherine Limperopoulos, PhD, Children's National Medical Center
Developing Brain Research Laboratory
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Jeremy Schmahmann, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology
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Stewart Mostofsky, MD, Kennedy Krieger Center, Johns Hopkins
Even a kindergarten kiddo knows which part of the brain is best!
