title: The modifiable neuronal network of the cerebellum.
abstract: Recent data of neuronal network structures of the cerebellum are reviewed and experimental evidence is presented for the hypothesis that parallel fiber synapses on Purkinje cells retain plasticity which provides a memory device to the cerebellar cortical network. A corticonuclear microcomplex, consisting of a small area of the cerebellar cortex, a small group of cerebellar and vestibular nuclear neurons, and a small group of inferior olive neurons, which are interconnected, is proposed to form a functional unit of the cerebellum. The idea that a corticonuclear microcomplex endows an extracerebellar system with subtle control capabilities such as coordination, prediction, and adaptation-learning is supported with experimental data on the cerebellar control of the vestibulo-ocular reflex.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission