A connection between the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the cerebellum which has been shown to exist in non-human primates, was recently identified in humans. However, its anatomical features, network properties and function have yet to be elucidated in humans. In the present study, we quantified the STN-cerebellum pathway in humans and explored its function based on structural observations. Anatomical features and asymmetry index (AI) were explored using high definition fiber tractography data of 30 individuals from the Massachusetts General Hospital - Human Connectome Project adult diffusion database. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to determine the interrelationship between the subdivisions of the STN-cerebellum and the global cortical-STN connections. The pathway was visualized bilaterally in all the subjects. Typically, after setting out from the STN, the STN-cerebellum projections incorporated into the nearby corticopontine tracts, passing through the cerebral peduncle, mediated by the pontine nucleus and then connecting in two opposite directions to join the bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle. On the group averaged level, 78.03% and 62.54% of fibers from the right and left STN respectively, distributed to Crus I in the cerebellum, part of the remaining fibers projected to Crus II, with most of the fibers crossing contralaterally. According to the AI evaluation, 60% of the participants were right STN dominant, 23% were left STN dominant, and 17% were relatively symmetric. Pearson's correlation analysis further indicated that the number of pathways from mesial Brodmann area 8 to the STN (hyperdirect pathway associated with decision making) was positively correlated with the number of fibers from the right STN to Crus I. The insertion and termination, the right-side dominance, and the positive correlation with the hyperdirect pathway all suggest that the STN-cerebellum pathway might be involved in decision-making processes.

中文翻译：

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识别和表征从丘脑底核到人类小脑的投射

最近在人类中发现了丘脑底核 (STN) 和小脑之间的联系，这种联系已被证明存在于非人类灵长类动物中。然而，其解剖特征、网络特性和功能尚未在人类中阐明。在本研究中，我们量化了人类的 STN-小脑通路，并基于结构观察探索了其功能。使用来自马萨诸塞州综合医院 - 人类连接组计划成人扩散数据库的 30 个人的高清纤维束成像数据探索解剖特征和不对称指数 (AI)。进行 Pearson 相关分析以确定 STN-小脑的细分与全球皮质-STN 连接之间的相互关系。该通路在所有受试者中双侧可视化。通常，从STN出发后，STN-小脑突起并入附近的皮质桥脑束，通过脑脚，由脑桥核介导，然后向相反的两个方向连接，加入双侧小脑中脚。在组平均水平上，来自左右 STN 的纤维分别有 78.03% 和 62.54% 分布到小脑中的 Crus I，其余部分纤维投射到 Crus II，大部分纤维向对侧交叉。根据 AI 评估，60% 的参与者为右侧 STN 主导，23% 为左侧 STN 主导，17% 为相对对称。皮尔逊