Developmental Disorders of the Cerebellum and Neurotrophic Factors

The cerebellum plays a main role in motor control and also in cognition features such as attention. Thus, a disturbance in cerebellar development results in neurological disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), congenital ataxia, and autism. Because neurotrophic factors have established effects on the growth, proliferation, differentiation, and arborization of neurons, their role in the neurodevelopmental disorders has been investigated for decades. Results of numerous studies have shown changes in serum or tissue neurotrophic factor levels, as well as alterations in their receptors and components of their signaling pathways in these types of the neurodevelopmental diseases. In this chapter, we provide a brief overview of neurotrophic factors and their role in cerebellar development and then focus on the roles of the neurotrophin system in developmental disorders and diseases of the cerebellum.