The possible role of the cerebellum in autism/PDD: Disruption of a multisensory feedback loop
Abstract
Autism and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) are characterized by impairments in socialization and communication, and by restricted and stereotypic patterns of behavior. Associated symptoms or features of autism/PDD include problems with attention and orientation, and an odd response to the environment and sensory stimuli. Persons with autism/PDD can over or under respond or react to sensation. Evidence suggests that there is aberrant brain structure in this disorder, particularly in the cerebellum. This paper will attempt to show a possible relationship between the pathology in the cerebellum and the symptomatology seen in autism/PDD with an emphasis on the sensory issues.
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Abnormal cerebellar-superior colliculus connectivity could lead to altered eye contact and orientation to stimuli, functions controlled by the superior colliculus.
“Abnormal cerebellar-SC connectivity could lead to altered eye contact and orientation to stimuli, functions controlled by the SC (Kern, 2002, Quaia et al., 2012).”
From The impact of atypical sensory processing on social impairments in autism spectrum disorder (2018) · cites this paper as Kern, 2002
The cerebellum has been proposed to enhance and depress sensory stimuli and could contribute to abnormal sensory perception in ASD.
“The cerebellum has been proposed to enhance and depress sensory stimuli and could contribute to abnormal sensory perception in ASD (Kern, 2002).”
From The impact of atypical sensory processing on social impairments in autism spectrum disorder (2018) · cites this paper as Kern, 2002
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- Authors
- Kern, J. K.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kern, J.K
- ORCID
- Kern, J.K
- Venue
- Medical Hypotheses
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2002-09
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 255-260
- ISSN
- 0306-9877 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2077357560
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Medical Hypotheses (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorders, cerebellum, sensory processing, sensory hypersensitivity, cerebellar pathology
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Afferent Pathways, Autistic Disorder, Brain Mapping, Cell Count, Cerebellum, Cerebral Cortex, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Discrimination, Psychological, Efferent Pathways, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Models, Neurological, Models, Psychological, Psychomotor Performance, Purkinje Cells, Sensation Disorders, Feedback, Physiological
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