Development of quantitative tools for assessment of cerebellar dysfunction

Abstract

Two tools for the quantitative assessment of cerebellar dysfunction are developed and explored. One is based on a battery of laptop tests desgined for clinical use. Extensive analysis of one of the tests using a speed/accuracy trade-off shows a correlation of 0.74 with existing scoring systems. The second involves modeling the cerebellar function in arm movement as a PID controller. Initial results show trends toward asymmetry, higher values for Gk₂₁ and Gk₂₂, and lower values for Gk₁₁ and Gk₁₂ as differences between the controller gains of ataxic subjects and control subjects when analyzing the trajectories of point to point movements. Further insight into these trends may lead to a deeper understanding of the cerebellum's function and dysfunction.