Cognition in cerebellar degeneration: correlations with lateral neocerebellar dysfunction and atrophy [ 2003 - 2005 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Elsdon Storey (Principal investigator) ,  Prof Glynda Kinsella ,  Prof Mark Cook

Brief description Diseases of the main brain coordination centre (the cerebellum) were once thought to impair only movement skills. However, effects on thinking, and especially on mental flexibility and rational planning, are increasingly being reported. These cognitive difficulties may hinder rehabilitation. They also often cause tension within the sufferers' families if other family members are not aware that such difficulties are part of the disease and beyond the sufferers' control. We will test how common such thinking difficulties are in patients with different inherited forms of incoordination, and determine what aspects of thinking are particularly affected. We will see whether the severity of movement incoordination predicts the extent of thinking disruption, as different but neighbouring parts of the cerebellum seem to be involved in each. We will also use magnetic brain scans (MRI's) to check that the thinking problems are not caused by shrinkage of other parts of the brain in these diseases.

Funding Amount $AUD 205,500.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant