The cerebellum is a brain region located in the dorsal part of the anterior hindbrain, composed of a highly stereotyped neural circuit structure with small sets of neurons. The cerebellum is involved in a wide variety of functions such as motor control, learning, cognition and others. Damage to the cerebellum often leads to impairments in motor skills (cerebellar ataxia). Cerebellar ataxia can occur as a result of neurodegenerative diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia. Recent advances in technologies related to pluripotent stem cells and their neural differentiation has enabled researchers to investigate the mechanisms of development and of disease in the human brain. Here, we review recent applications of leading-edge stem cell technologies to the mechanistic investigation of human cerebellar development and neurological diseases affecting the cerebellum.

小脑是位于前后脑背侧的大脑区域，由高度刻板的神经回路结构和小组神经元组成。小脑涉及多种功能，例如运动控制、学习、认知等。小脑损伤通常会导致运动技能受损（小脑共济失调）。小脑性共济失调可由神经退行性疾病如脊髓小脑性共济失调引起。多能干细胞及其神经分化相关技术的最新进展使研究人员能够研究人类大脑的发育和疾病机制。这里，