Our knowledge of cerebellar functions and disorders, called ataxias, is increasing considerably. Studies of the cerebellum are now a central focus in neuroscience. During the last four decades, many laboratories worldwide have dedicated their research activities to understanding the roles of the cerebellum in motor control, cognitive processes, and the biology of mental processes, behavioral symptoms, and emotions. It is now accepted that the cerebellum is a cognitive operator in learning, perception, and attention. Moreover, significant improvements have occurred in our assessment of in vivo cerebellar architecture using imaging techniques. A typical example is the accurate description of cerebellar anatomy during fetal development with MRI, a progress that has direct impacts on patient care. These advances have been associated with discoveries of new clinical disorders, in particular, in the field of genetic ataxias. More than 20 new genes have been identified these last 10 years. Only for dominant ataxias, more than 30 diseases have now been unraveled. The number of ataxic disorders will increase with aging, the cerebellum being the brain’s structure with the most crucial loss of neurons. More than 300 different cerebellar disorders are encountered during daily practice, but we are missing a single source of information explaining their pathogenesis. Despite the immense amount of knowledge acquired about the cerebellar circuitry these last few years, a large book covering the neuroscience of the cerebellum is missing. The goal of this endeavor is to bring up-to-date information relevant to basic science and also for clinical activities. To reach this goal, the most renowned authors are gathered in a unique, in-depth book in a handbook format. We emphasize the connections between molecular findings, imaging features, behavioral/neuropsychological aspects, and clinical implications.
