It is generally understood that the main role of the cerebellum is in movement planning and coordination, but neuroimaging has led to striking findings of its involvement in many aspects of cognitive processing. Mental visualization is such a cognitive process, extensively involved in learning and memory, artistic and inventive creativity, etc. Here, our aim was to conduct a multidimensional feasibility study of cerebellar involvement in the non-motor cognitive tasks. First, we used fMRI to investigate whether the cognitive task of visualization from an immediate memory of complex spatial structures (line drawings) engages the cerebellum, and identified a cerebellar network of both strongly activated and suppressed regions. Second, the task-specificity of these regions was examined by comparative analysis with the task of perceptual exploration and memorization of the drawings to be later visualized from memory. BOLD response patterns over the iterations of each task differed significantly; unexpectedly, the suppression grew markedly stronger in visualization. Third, to gain insights in the organization of these regions into cerebellar networks, we determined the directed inter-regional causal influences using Granger Causal Connectivity analysis. Additionally, the causal interactions of the cerebellar networks with a large-scale cortical network, the Default Mode Network (DMN), were studied. Fourth, we investigated rapid cognitive learning in the cerebellum at the level of short-term BOLD response evolution within each region of interest, and at the higher level of network reorganization. Our paradigm of interleaved sequences of iteration between two tasks combined with some innovative analyses were instrumental in addressing these questions. In particular, rapid forms of non-motor learning that strongly drive cerebellar plasticity through mental visualization were uncovered and characterized at both sub-lobular and network levels. Collectively, these findings provide novel and expansive insights into high-order cognitive functions in the cerebellum, and its macroscale functional neuroanatomy. They represent a basis for a framework of rapid cerebellar reorganization driven by non-motor learning, with implications for the enhancement of cognitive abilities such as learning and memory.

中文翻译：

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小脑的心理可视化：小叶下和因果网络水平的快速非运动学习

人们普遍认为小脑的主要作用是运动计划和协调，但神经影像学已导致其参与认知处理的许多方面的惊人发现。心理可视化就是这样一个认知过程，广泛涉及学习和记忆、艺术和创造性创造力等。在这里，我们的目的是对小脑参与非运动认知任务进行多维可行性研究。首先，我们使用功能磁共振成像来研究从复杂空间结构（线条图）的即时记忆中进行可视化的认知任务是否涉及小脑，并确定了一个由强激活和抑制区域组成的小脑网络。第二，这些区域的任务特异性通过比较分析与感知探索和记忆绘图的任务进行检查，以便以后从记忆中可视化。每个任务迭代的 BOLD 响应模式显着不同；出乎意料的是，抑制在可视化中明显增强。第三，为了深入了解这些区域在小脑网络中的组织，我们使用格兰杰因果连通性分析确定了定向的区域间因果影响。此外，研究了小脑网络与大规模皮层网络默认模式网络 (DMN) 的因果相互作用。第四，我们在每个感兴趣区域内的短期 BOLD 反应演变水平上研究了小脑的快速认知学习，并在更高层次的网络重组。我们将两个任务之间的交错迭代序列与一些创新分析相结合的范例有助于解决这些问题。特别是，通过心理可视化强烈驱动小脑可塑性的非运动学习的快速形式在小叶下和网络水平上被发现和表征。总的来说，这些发现为小脑的高阶认知功能及其宏观功能神经解剖学提供了新颖而广泛的见解。它们代表了由非运动学习驱动的快速小脑重组框架的基础，对增强学习和记忆等认知能力具有重要意义。我们将两个任务之间的交错迭代序列与一些创新分析相结合的范例有助于解决这些问题。特别是，通过心理可视化强烈驱动小脑可塑性的非运动学习的快速形式在小叶下和网络水平上被发现和表征。总的来说，这些发现为小脑的高阶认知功能及其宏观功能神经解剖学提供了新颖而广泛的见解。它们代表了由非运动学习驱动的快速小脑重组框架的基础，对增强学习和记忆等认知能力具有重要意义。我们将两个任务之间的交错迭代序列与一些创新分析相结合的范例有助于解决这些问题。特别是，通过心理可视化强烈驱动小脑可塑性的非运动学习的快速形式在小叶下和网络水平上被发现和表征。总的来说，这些发现为小脑的高阶认知功能及其宏观功能神经解剖学提供了新颖而广泛的见解。它们代表了由非运动学习驱动的快速小脑重组框架的基础，对增强学习和记忆等认知能力具有重要意义。通过心理可视化强烈驱动小脑可塑性的快速非运动学习形式在小叶下和网络水平上被发现和表征。总的来说，这些发现为小脑的高阶认知功能及其宏观功能神经解剖学提供了新颖而广泛的见解。它们代表了由非运动学习驱动的快速小脑重组框架的基础，对增强学习和记忆等认知能力具有重要意义。通过心理可视化强烈驱动小脑可塑性的快速非运动学习形式在小叶下和网络水平上被发现和表征。总的来说，这些发现为小脑的高阶认知功能及其宏观功能神经解剖学提供了新颖而广泛的见解。它们代表了由非运动学习驱动的快速小脑重组框架的基础，对增强学习和记忆等认知能力具有重要意义。