Analysis of the pattern of functional activation of the cerebellum and its topographical correlation. / Análisis del patrón de activación funcional del cerebelo y su correlación topográfica.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the normal patterns of cerebellar activation in specific cerebral functions (motor, language, memory) and their topographical correlations in the cerebellar cortex on functional magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 25 healthy subjects (8 women and 17 men; 23 right-handed and 2 left-handed; age range, 16-64 years), who did language, memory, and motor tasks while undergoing 1.5T functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: We assessed functional activity of the cerebellum associated with motor, language, and memory components, describing their relations with topographical regions of the cerebellum and their functional relations with areas in the cerebral cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the normal patterns of morphological characteristics and functional behavior in the cerebellum as well as their relations with the brain is important for radiologists and clinicians evaluating the cerebellum and possible pathological conditions that affect it.