Impaired non-motor learning and error detection associated with cerebellar damage. A single case study.
A previously conducted positron emission tomography (PET) study of normal humans suggested that the cerebellum makes important non-motor contributions to language processing. Beginning with the task which produced right cerebellar PET activation, we studied a 49-yr-old male (RC1) with right cerebellar damage on a variety of tasks involving complex non-motor processing. Whereas RC1's performance on standard tests of memory, intelligence, 'frontal function' and language skills was excellent, he had profound deficits in two areas: (1) practice-related learning; (2) detection of errors. Considered in relation to cerebellar contributions to motor tasks, the results suggest some functions performed by the cerebellum may be generalized beyond a purely motor domain.
Fiez
J A
JA
Department of Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO 63110.
Petersen
S E
SE
Cheney
M K
MK
Raichle
M E
ME
D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged