The cerebellum can regulate behavior by controlling dopamine release The cerebellum contains the second main cortex of the brain and ∼50% of the neurons that constitute the brain. Although the cerebellum has long been thought to subserve motor learning and coordination, more recently it has been recognized to take part in cognitive and emotional processing. Additionally, evidence for cerebellar involvement in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, and addiction is growing. On page 248 of this issue, Carta et al. (1) extend this theme and show that the cerebellum can activate the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The VTA is a mesencephalic nucleus giving rise to the mesocortical and mesolimbic fiber bundles that release dopamine to the prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum. Dopamine, in turn, plays a fundamental role in cognitive and emotional functioning by regulating motivation and reward. This places the cerebellum into the main circuits regulating brain states and social behavior.

中文翻译：

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小脑开始社交

小脑可以通过控制多巴胺释放来调节行为小脑包含大脑的第二个主要皮层和约 50% 的构成大脑的神经元。虽然小脑长期以来被认为有助于运动学习和协调，但最近它被认为参与认知和情绪处理。此外，关于小脑参与自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD)、精神分裂症和成瘾的证据越来越多。在本期第 248 页上，Carta 等人。(1) 扩展这个主题并表明小脑可以激活腹侧被盖区 (VTA)。VTA 是一个中脑核，产生中皮层和中脑边缘纤维束，将多巴胺释放到前额叶皮层和腹侧纹状体。反过来，多巴胺 通过调节动机和奖励，在认知和情感功能中发挥重要作用。这将小脑置于调节大脑状态和社会行为的主要回路中。