Crucial role of the cerebellum in social and cognitive functioning

However, Van Overwalle’s research extends beyond motor functions, exploring the involvement of the cerebellum in social and cognitive abilities. Their findings reveal that cerebellar abnormalities not only lead to motor deficits, but are also linked to emotional and behavioral disorders. It refers to research on people with autism, showing how non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as magnetic stimulation can improve performance on social tasks.

“We have seen improvements in the sequencing of cognitive tasks in people with autism using magnetic stimulation,” says Van Overwalle. “We are now testing more complex tasks to see if these effects can be further enhanced, with the ultimate goal of developing practical treatments for people with autism.”

A notable advance is the use of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), a more affordable and accessible technique compared to magnetic stimulation. Although the effects of tES are still limited, the research group is committed to further development, seeing its potential for large-scale application in the future.

This research provides new insight into the role of the cerebellum and paves the way for new treatments for psychiatric and neurological conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders. “Our hope is to further refine these techniques to improve the social and cognitive functions of people with autism,” concludes Van Overwalle.